The phrase "are taken the cleaners" is a colloquialism used to describe someone who has lost a lot of money or has been taken advantage of. The correct spelling of this phrase is /ɑːr ˈteɪkən ði ˈkliːnərz/. The vowel in "are" is pronounced as the sound in "car", while the "e" in "taken" is pronounced as the sound in "bet". The word "cleaners" is pronounced with a long "e" sound as in "seen". The phrase is often used in informal conversations and is not considered formal English.
The phrase "are taken the cleaners" is an idiomatic expression which refers to a situation where someone suffers a significant financial loss or is cheated out of a large amount of money. The phrase is commonly used to describe a scenario where someone is left with little to no money or assets after experiencing a devastating financial setback or being deceived in a financial transaction.
The term can be traced back to the world of gambling and derives from the practice of taking someone's money in a game or competition, leaving them with nothing. The word "cleaners" in this context suggests that the person has been completely stripped of their resources or assets, much like a room is cleaned of dirt or clutter.
The phrase can be used to describe various situations, such as a person losing a significant amount of money in a high-stakes investment, being scammed or tricked into giving away their savings, or experiencing a bankruptcy or financial ruin. It conveys the idea of a total loss, leaving the individual in a desperate or dire financial state.
Overall, the expression "are taken the cleaners" is an informal way to convey the idea of suffering a substantial financial loss or being defrauded, and is often used to emphasize the severity or magnitude of the situation.