The phrase "takes to cleaner" refers to someone who is taken advantage of or swindled out of their money. The spelling of this phrase can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /teɪks tə ˈklinər/. The first word, "takes," is pronounced with a long "a" sound followed by a "k" sound and then an "s" sound. The second word, "to," is pronounced with a short "o" sound. The final word, "cleaner," is pronounced with a long "e" sound, followed by a "k" sound, a "l" sound, an "ai" sound, and then an "r" sound.
"Takes to the cleaner" is an idiomatic expression widely used in informal contexts to describe a situation where someone is financially, or occasionally emotionally, exploited or severely defeated by another person or entity. This colloquial phrase is derived from the image of an individual or entity being completely cleaned out or stripped of their possessions, as if they were taken to a launderette.
When someone is said to be "taken to the cleaner," it implies that they have experienced a significant loss or have been swindled out of a substantial amount of money. This can occur through deceitful practices such as fraud, unfair contracts, or other deceptive schemes devised by the person or entity taking advantage of the situation. The phrase can also be used metaphorically to denote situations where one party has gained a significant advantage over another in a competition or conflict.
Furthermore, "takes to the cleaner" can extend beyond financial aspects to include emotional or psychological exploitation. In these cases, someone may feel emotionally drained or exploited, as if their spirit or self-esteem has been wholly diminished. The phrase is commonly used in informal conversations, anecdotes, or media, emphasizing the extent of vulnerability, loss, or defeat experienced by the person or entity being "taken to the cleaner."