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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

fixer-upper en · NOUN

Etymology

From a reduplicating suffixation of fix up, equivalent to fix + -er + up + -er.

Meanings

  1. (US, informal) A house, property, car, or other object that needs to be fixed up or repaired, often purchased as an investment.
    • 2003, Jay P. DeCima, Investing in Fixer-Uppers: A Complete Guide to Buying Low, Fixing Smart, Adding Value, and Selling (or Renting) High, McGraw-Hill Professional, →ISBN.
  2. (broadly, informal) A potential romantic partner who may need some motivation to improve their personality or habits.
    • Don't be seduced into a relationship with someone who seems to be a "fixer-upper." Attempts at renovating people usually fail. 2000, Susan Curtin Kelley, Dale Burg, The Second Time Around:
  3. (informal) A person who tinkers or fixes things up; in particular, someone who fixes up houses, properties, etc. as an investment.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
fixer-uppers Number=Plur lexicographic

Relateds

handyman's special

Synonyms

fix-it-upper · doer-upperer

Translations (2)

da håndværkertilbud (object for sale that needs repair) · hu felújítandó tárgy/dolog/holmi (object for sale that needs repair)