be taken to the cleaners (by someone)



be taken to the cleaners (by someone)

1. To have a lot or all of one's money taken, swindled, or cheated (by someone). I was taken to the cleaners by the IRS after they found out I hadn't been declaring my freelance work on my tax returns. I made such a big deal about going to the poker tournament that I couldn't bear to tell my husband that I'd been taken to the cleaners.
2. To be soundly defeated or bested; to lose by a wide margin. The young team's inexperience showed on the field today, as they were taken to the cleaners by the veteran squad.
See also: cleaner, taken

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Quentinkawn-TEN (French), KWEN-tin (English)French, English
Eve[i:v]
DiederickDEE-də-rikDutch
Isidoros-Ancient Greek
Bento-Portuguese
Naomi (1)nay-O-mee (English), nie-O-mee (English)English, Hebrew, Biblical