The spelling of the phrase "took the cleaner" is fairly straightforward. "Took" is spelled as it sounds, with the "oo" sound pronounced like the word "book". The "th" in "the" is pronounced as a dental fricative, made by placing the tongue between the teeth and blowing out air. "Cleaner" is spelled phonetically as well, with the "ea" making the long "e" sound and the "er" at the end pronounced as a syllabic consonant, meaning it is its own separate syllable. [tʊk ðə klinər]
"Took the cleaner" is an idiomatic expression used to describe an act of stealing or appropriating someone else's belongings without their knowledge or consent. It typically refers to the unauthorized acquisition or removal of an item that does not belong to the perpetrator. The phrase is colloquially associated with dishonest or sneaky actions, where the individual takes something surreptitiously, resembling the actions of a thief.
The origin of this phrase can be traced back to a situation where a cleaner or janitor, who has access to private spaces, decides to pilfer or appropriate an object while performing their duties. This act is seen as a betrayal of trust and an abuse of their privileged position. Consequently, "took the cleaner" is often used as a metaphorical representation of how someone can exploit a position of authority or access to take things that are not rightfully theirs.
The phrase is commonly employed in informal contexts and conversations as a way to describe an act of theft or misappropriation discreetly, while adding a touch of humor or irony. It can be used to depict situations where individuals are deprived of their possessions without any knowledge of who might be responsible for the act. However, it is important to note that "took the cleaner" is an idiomatic expression and should not be taken literally or used as legal terminology.