The phrase "took to cleaners" is a common idiom that means someone has been taken advantage of or cheated. The word "took" is pronounced /tʊk/ and is the past tense of the verb "take." "To" is pronounced /tuː/ and is a preposition used to indicate motion in the direction of something. "Cleaners" is pronounced /ˈkliːnərz/ and refers to a place where clothes are cleaned, but in the idiom, it means they have been stripped of their money or possessions. The spelling is straightforward and follows the standard English spelling conventions.
The idiom "took to cleaners" is an expression commonly used in colloquial English. It refers to a situation where someone is deceived, swindled, or manipulated in such a way that they experience significant financial loss or are taken advantage of. This phrase is often used metaphorically, suggesting that the person has been figuratively stripped of their money or resources, leaving them at a disadvantage.
To "take someone to cleaners" implies that the person responsible for the deception has expertly and ruthlessly exploited the victim's vulnerability, resulting in substantial financial harm. This idiom conveys a sense of cunning and deceit from the perpetrator, as well as a feeling of powerlessness and loss on the part of the victim. It suggests that the victim has fallen prey to a shrewd individual who has successfully outmaneuvered them in a financial or business transaction.
This phrase can also be used more broadly beyond financial contexts, symbolizing situations in which someone is manipulated or deceived in a way that causes significant harm or disadvantage in any aspect of life. It emphasizes the imbalance of power and the feeling of being taken advantage of, leaving the victim in a state of disadvantage or loss.