fixer

American  

[fik-ser] / ˈfɪk sər /

noun

1. a person or thing that fixes, sets, adjusts, or repairs.

2. Informal.

   1. a person who arranges matters in advance, or acts as a liaison.

      The film crew hired a fixer for the foreign location shoot.

   2. a person who neutralizes problems for another, as for an individual or organization whose reputation is threatened by past misdeeds or conflicts, often through bribery or influence.

      The agent also worked as a fixer for several movie stars, keeping sex scandals and drug arrests out of the tabloids.

3. Informal. fixer-upper.

4. Photography. fixative.

5. Slang. a person who sells narcotics to addicts.

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fixer British  

/ ˈfɪksə /

noun

1. a person or thing that fixes

2. photog a solution containing one or more chemical compounds that is used, in fixing, to dissolve unexposed silver halides. It sometimes has an additive to stop the action of developer

3. slang a person who makes arrangements, esp by underhand or illegal means

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Etymology

Origin of fixer

First recorded in 1840–50; fix + -er ¹

Example Sentences

As with Khalil's case, local fixers had got in touch to offer help.

From BBC

In years past he was also a fixer for the company, relaunching a failed data syncing service as iCloud, and taking over Apple Maps after its disastrous launch.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria generate an enzyme called nitrogenase, sometimes referred to as the "fixer" because it carries out nitrogen fixation.

From Science Daily

“You are the fixer,” one of the crew said.

From Literature

For much of the 20th century, Cowley operated as a kind of literary fixer, a man who knew how to work the publishing system, create reputations and shape public taste.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advocate
• arbiter
• arbitrator
• broker
• go-between
• intermediary
• judge
• negotiator
• peacemaker
• referee
• troubleshooter