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take to the cleaners

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take someone to the cleaners

 

1. Sl. to take a lot of someone's money; to swindle someone. The lawyers took the insurance company to the cleaners, but I still didn't get enough to pay for my losses. The con artists took the old man to the cleaners.

2. Sl. to defeat or best someone. We took the other team to the cleaners. Look at the height they've got! They'll take us to the cleaners!

See also: cleaner, take

take somebody to the cleaners

to cheat someone of money Some people say the company took them to the cleaners by charging double for some services.

See also: cleaner, take

take to the cleaners

1. Take or cheat one out of all of one's money or possessions, as in Her divorce lawyer took him to the cleaners, or That broker has taken a number of clients to the cleaners. [Slang; early 1900s]

2. Drub, beat up, as in He didn't just push you-he took you to the cleaners. [Slang; early 1900s]

See also: cleaner, take

take to the cleaners

Slang

To take all the money or possessions of, especially by outsmarting or swindling.

See also: cleaner, take