**fixer**
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**fix•er** /'fɪksər/ *n infml* a person who is good at arranging that a desired result or state of affairs happens, especially by using influence or dishonesty
**fix•ings** /'fɪksɪŋz/ *n* [the P] *AmE infml* foods that go with a main dish for a meal: *turkey with all the fixings*
**fix•i•ty** /'fɪksəti/ *n* [U] *fml* the quality of being fixed; firmness: *fixity of purpose*
**fix•ture** /'fɪkstʃər/ *n* **1** something necessary, such as a bath, that is fixed into a building and sold with it: *The price includes all fixtures and fittings.* | *bathroom fixtures* $\rightarrow$ compare FITTING$^2$, FURNISHINGS **2** *BrE* a match or sports competition taking place on an agreed date: *to arrange this season's fixtures* **3** someone or something that is always present in a place or that is strongly connected with a place or activity: *I can't believe she's leaving the company — I thought she was a permanent fixture!*
**fizz**$^1$ /fɪz/ *v* [I] to make the sound of BUBBLES of gas bursting: *The firework fizzed. | She uncorked the champagne and it fizzed out.* (=came out fizzing)
**fizz**$^2$ *n* **1** [S] the sound of fizzing **2** [U] BUBBLES of gas in a liquid: *You didn't put the top back on the soda and now all the fizz has gone out of it.*
**fiz•zle** /'fɪzəl/
**fizzle out** *phr v* [I] *infml* to fail or end disappointingly, especially after a good start: *The game fizzled out into a tame draw.*
**fiz•zy** /'fɪzi/ *adj* (of a liquid) containing BUBBLES of gas
**'fizzy 'drink** *n* a sweet non-alcoholic drink, usually drunk by children: *Try to reduce the number of sweets and fizzy drinks that your child has.*
**fjord, fiord** /fjɔ:rd, fɪ'ɔ:rd; fi'ɔ:rd/ *n* a narrow arm of the sea between cliffs or steep slopes, especially in Norway
**FL** written abbrev. for FLORIDA
**flab** /flæb/ *n* [U] *infml derog* soft loose flesh on a person's body: *She's gone on a diet and is trying to do more exercise in an effort to fight the flab.* (=become thinner)
**flab•ber•gast** /'flæbəɡæst; -ərɡæst/ *v* [T usually pass.] *infml* to surprise very much; fill with shocked wonder, usually so that one is unable to think clearly: *I was absolutely flabbergasted when she told me the price.*
**flab•by** /'flæbi/ *adj derog* **1** having soft loose flesh; (of muscles) soft and lacking firmness: *I became rather flabby after I stopped playing football regularly.* **2** lacking force or effectiveness: *a flabby, unconvincing argument* —**bily** *adv* —**biness** *n* [U]
**flac•cid** /'flæsɪd, 'flæksɪd/ *adj* not firm enough; weak and soft: *flaccid plant stems* —**ly** *adv* —**ity** /flæ'sɪdəti, flæk-/ *n* [U]
**flack** /flæk/ *n* [U] FLAK
**flag**$^1$ /flæɡ/ *n* **1** a square or OBLONG piece of material, usually with a pattern or picture on it, that is put up as a sign of a country, organization etc, or to make signals. Flags are often flown at HALF-MAST when an important person has died: *The French flags were flapping/fluttering in the breeze. | The danger flag was flying. (=being shown) | The children waved their flags as the queen passed by. | (fig.) Most of the countries that once lived under the British flag (=were ruled by Britain) are now independent.* **2 keep the flag flying** to continue to represent one's beliefs, or continue to represent one's own country in another country: *When the island became independent, only a few Dutch teachers and nurses remained to keep the flag flying.* **3 show the flag** to remind people of the political and military presence and power of one's country: *An American naval force is showing the flag in various Mediterranean ports.* $\rightarrow$ see also RED FLAG, WHITE FLAG
**CULTURAL NOTE** In the US the national flag is very important and people are expected to treat it with respect. There is a flag in every school classroom, and children stand looking at the flag and say the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (=a promise to be loyal to the country and the flag) every morning. They are usually taught how to fold the flag correctly. They are also taught that the flag may not be flown when it is raining or snowing, and that it should be taken down before dark each day. Many people put a flag in front of their houses on the FOURTH OF JULY and on FLAG DAY. After the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, many people put flags on their houses and towns put a lot of flags along the streets to show their support for the country. In the 1960s some people burned the flag as a protest against the VIETNAM WAR and some Americans felt very strongly that this was wrong. People have burned the flag to protest against other political events, too. In the 1990s, however, the SUPREME COURT decided that burning the flag could be seen as an act of free speech, which is protected in the US CONSTITUTION. In the UK, the flag is flown over official buildings, but ordinary people do not usually put the British flag on their houses. However, sometimes when there is an important football or RUGBY match being played by the English, Scottish, or Welsh national teams, some people put the English, Scottish, or Welsh flag on their houses. $\rightarrow$ see also STARS AND STRIPES, UNION JACK, ROSS, BETSY
**flag**$^2$ *v -gg-* [T] to put a special mark on (something) so it can be picked out from among others
**flag sthg./sbdy. $\Leftrightarrow$ down** *phr v* [T] to cause (a vehicle or its driver) to stop by waving at the driver: *I tried to flag down a taxi.*
**flag**$^3$ *v -gg-* [I] to be or become weak and less alive or active: *After walking for four hours we were beginning to flag. | I tried to revive his flagging interest in the subject.* $\rightarrow$ see also UNFLAGGING
**flag**$^4$ *n* a FLAGSTONE
**flag**$^5$ *n* a plant with long blade-like leaves that grows in wet places
**'flag day** *n BrE* a day on which money is collected for a CHARITY by asking people in the street to give money. Those who give receive paper flags or small STICKERS.
**'Flag Day** June 14th, a day in the US when people fly the US flag, remembering the day in 1777 when the STARS AND STRIPES (=US flag) was officially accepted and first used
**fla•gel•lant** /'flædʒələnt, flə'dʒelənt/ *n tech* someone who whips himself or herself as a religious punishment
**fla•gel•late** /'flædʒəleɪt/ *v* [T] *fml* to whip, especially as a religious punishment or for sexual pleasure —**lation** /,flædʒə'leɪʃən/ *n* [U]
**'flag ,football** *n* [U] a game of American football played mainly in schools in which tearing off one of the flags a player wears around his waist stops play
**flag of con'venience** *n* the flag of a country in which a ship owned by someone from another country is officially recorded, in order to avoid the rules and taxes of its home country
**flag•on** /'flæɡən/ *n* a large container for liquids such as wine, usually with a lid, a handle, and a lip or SPOUT for pouring
**flag•pole** /'flæɡpoʊl/ *n* a long pole to raise a flag on, fixed in the ground or on a building
**fla•grant** /'fleɪɡrənt/ *adj* (of a bad action or person) open and with no sign of guilt; OUTRAGEOUS: *a flagrant abuse of the taxpayers' money | a flagrant liar* —**ly** *adv* —**grancy** *n* [U]
**flag•ship** /'flæɡʃɪp/ *n* **1** the chief ship among a group of naval warships, on which the ADMIRAL sails **2** the finest or most expensive product in a set of things made by a company: *The new car is the flagship of the Ford range.*
**flag•staff** /'flæɡstæf; -stɑ:f/ *n* a flagpole
**flag•stone** /'flæɡstoʊn/ also **flag** *n* a hard, smooth, flat piece of stone for a floor or path
**'flag stop** *n AmE* for REQUEST STOP
**'flag-,waving** *n* [U] *derog* the noisy expression of national military feeling; JINGOISM
**flail**$^1$ /fleɪl/ *n* a wooden tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle, used especially in former times for threshing (THRESH)
**flail**$^2$ *v* [I;T] **1** to beat (grain) with a flail **2** to (cause to) wave violently but aimlessly about: *He ran down the hill at full speed, his arms flailing wildly.*
**flair** /fler/ *n* **1** [S;U (for)] (a) natural ability to do some special thing well: *She has a flair for writing poetry.* **2** [U] a way of doing things which is different, interesting, and has style: *The new director certainly has got flair.*
**flak, flack** /flæk/ *n* [U] **1** firing from guns that shoot at