fixer-upper

English

Etymology

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

Noun

fixer-upper (plural fixer-uppers)

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. (informal, by extension) A potential romantic partner who may need some motivation to improve their personality or habits.
   • 2000, Susan Curtin Kelley, Dale Burg, The Second Time Around:

     Don't be seduced into a relationship with someone who seems to be a "fixer-upper." Attempts at renovating people usually fail.

3. (informal) A person who tinkers or fixes things up; in particular, someone who fixes up houses, properties, etc. as an investment.

Synonyms

• doer-upperer (Australia, colloquial)
• fix-it-upper

Translations

object for sale that needs repair

Danish: håndværkertilbud n Hungarian: felújítandó tárgy/dolog/holmi

See also

• handyman's special