fix a race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fix a race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is manipulating the outcome of a race, often in a dishonest or illegal manner. Example: "The authorities were alerted when they discovered evidence that someone was trying to fix a race for financial gain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"There are a number of ways they could skate within the rules and still fix a race without the referees' knowledge," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

A harness driver was convicted of trying to fix a race last year at Cal Expo in Sacramento and faces up to three years in prison and a lifetime ban from horse racing.

The New York Times

Last year at Delaware Park, a small sponge was found in the nose of one of his horses in what the state police described as an attempt to fix a race.

The New York Times - Sports

After a trial last week jockey Ben Feliciano & 3 others were found guilty in U.S. District Court in Baltimore of conspiring to fix a race known as the Valentine's Day Triple, and of conspiring to evade the tax law by giving $35,247 in winning mutuel tickets to other people to cash for them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And there was Ohno, jotting down notes for his lawyer as his own teammates leveled him with the kind of accusation that makes advertisers recoil: Ohno fixed a race.

The New York Times - Sports

Armstrong, a modern-day American icon way beyond the narrow confines of his tainted sport, is accused of not just fixing a race, or a match, or even a season.

BBC

Some of the sheen was taken off his star last year after being accused of fixing a race in the U.S. trials to help his friend make the Olympic team.

Forbes

Three men were charged in federal court yesterday in a scheme to fix a horse race at Aqueduct Raceway in Queens in 2003, the authorities said.

The New York Times

But in early drafts of "Matilda," Dahl had painted her as a wicked child who uses telekinesis to fix a horse race, a pursuit that ultimately kills her.

The New Yorker

Her wariness undoubtedly increased after an accusation -- never proved -- by a fellow skater that Shani made the 2002 Olympic team in short-track skating after friends conspired to fix a qualifying race.

The New York Times

After Jacobs's third film fails to get picked up for national distribution, Laslo proposes a scheme to solve their money problems for good, persuading Jacobs and a jockey to help him fix a horse race.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fix a race", ensure the context clearly indicates intentional manipulation or predetermination of the outcome, often for illicit purposes like gambling fraud.

Common error

Avoid using "fix a race" to simply mean 'repair' or 'organize' a race. The term almost always carries the connotation of dishonest manipulation. For the context of organizing a race, use other options like "organize a race".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fix a race" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of manipulating the outcome of a race, typically in an unethical or illegal manner. As seen in Ludwig, this involves interfering with the natural course of the race to achieve a predetermined result.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fix a race" describes the act of dishonestly predetermining the outcome of a race, typically for illicit gain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "rig a race" and "manipulate a race". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates intentional manipulation. Avoid using it to mean simply 'organize' or 'repair' a race. Despite its straightforward structure, the term carries strong negative connotations. It's a neutral expression and it is suitable for both news reports and casual discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rig a race

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning to "fix", implying manipulation.

manipulate a race

Emphasizes the control exerted to alter the race's outcome.

prearrange the result of a race

More formal and explicitly states the planning involved.

influence the outcome of a race

Broader term that doesn't necessarily imply illegal activity, but can still suggest unfair meddling.

throw a race

Implies intentionally losing to achieve a desired outcome, often related to betting schemes.

determine the outcome of a race illicitly

More formal and explicitly states the illegality of determining race outcome.

control the race result

Focuses on the act of controlling the final result of the race.

engineer a race outcome

Suggests skillful and deliberate manipulation of the race events.

collude to alter race results

Highlights the collaborative effort involved in altering the race.

tamper with a race

Implies interference or meddling to change the legitimate course of a race.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fix a race"?

To "fix a race" means to predetermine the outcome through illegal or unethical means, often for gambling profits. It involves manipulating events to ensure a specific result, rather than allowing fair competition.

What are some synonyms for "fix a race"?

Alternatives to "fix a race" include "rig a race", "manipulate a race", or "throw a race", all of which imply dishonest interference with the race's outcome.

Is "fix a race" a formal or informal expression?

"Fix a race" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both news reports and casual discussions, but it always carries a negative connotation due to its implication of cheating.

How is "fix a race" different from "organize a race"?

"Fix a race" implies manipulating the result unfairly, while "organize a race" simply means to arrange and manage the event. They have completely different meanings and contexts.