to fix something up vs. to fix something (2025)

Hi guys,

I don't know if it's right to say : "Could you please fix it up ?" (it's about a problem on my computer, I ask to fix the problem) or should I say : "Could you please fix it ?" ?

What is the best one ? And if there is a difference between the both of them, could you please let me know which one ?

Thanks.

"My computer is bust, could you deal with it please?" = good (i.e. deal with the problem)
Similarly "... could you take care of it".

"Fix up" is usually followed by a personal pronoun and "with" and means to provide something to somebody. "The Mountain Equipment Coop will fix you up with the best hiking gear on the market."

Thank for your answers, Suehil and Amda Zako.
At the moment, it's a little bit confused for me but I must practice with these verbs now

Have a nice day.

Hello LaseLiep!

I know you posted your question 7 months ago and I hope you found an answer by now! Just incase, I would like to clarify this for you or anyone else interested.

In the US, it is very common to say "fix a problem." To "solve a problem" implies mentally working out a solution. Also, you would only use "mend" to mean fix something by sewing or perhaps mending a relationship, but never a computer.

To "fix somthing" is simply to repair it. It is used in a broad range of things. "Can you fix my computer?" "I have to get my car fixed!"

BUT, to "fix up something" means to refurbish something. It is a time-consuming project. "I fixed up the bathroom." "I fixed up that old chair." if you were to say, "I fixed up that computer." It would imply that the computer was old and out of date and you refurbished it.

Lastly, to "deal with something" also denotes a difficult problem that requires time and energy. (We try not to make people "deal" with our problems! In your case, I would not choose to say "can you deal with it?" However, if you are asking a friend the big favor to "fix up" your computer, then yes! That would be a problem to be dealt with!

I hope this helps someone!

Thank you violetaskye, this helps me a lot to understand.

I have noticed that there may be a misunderstanding. The context was that a website didn't work because of a problem in the database, so I asked the administrator to solve the problem (and not to fix it)...

Hope your clear explanations will help somebody else because it is well-explained : )

In that context, either way (fix it or solve it) would be totally acceptable, here in the US.

Thank you for your very nice response!