Propose to a patient man in a fix (3-2,3)
I believe the answer is:
put-up job
'in a fix' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'propose to a patient man' is the wordplay.
'propose' becomes 'putup' (putting up is a kind of proposing).
'to a patient man' becomes 'job' (biblical character famous for patience).
'putup'+'job'='PUT-UP JOB'
(Other definitions for put-up job that I've seen before include "Dishonest scheme" , "Deception arranged in advance" , "sham!" , "Craftily conceived undertaking" , "Prearranged scam" .)