The expression "were taken to the cleaners" is an idiomatic phrase that is typically used to describe a situation where someone is swindled, deceived, or outsmarted, resulting in significant financial loss or disadvantage. The figurative meaning of the phrase suggests that the person has been thoroughly cleaned out, much like clothes being taken to a dry cleaner and stripped of everything.
The phrase is commonly used when someone has been easily taken advantage of in a transaction or deal, usually involving money. It implies that the individual was unsuspecting, vulnerable, or lacking knowledge or experience in a certain area, making them an easy target for deceit or manipulation. The person may have been tricked into making a poor investment, purchasing a defective product, or agreeing to an unfavorable contract, leading to monetary loss or disadvantageous outcomes.
"Were taken to the cleaners" can also be used metaphorically to describe situations beyond financial loss. It can refer to instances where someone has been dominated or defeated comprehensively, whether in a competition, argument, or conflict. In this sense, it highlights the person's helplessness or lack of control over the situation, emphasizing their disadvantage or unpreparedness.
Overall, when someone says that they or someone else "were taken to the cleaners," it signifies that they experienced a significant and often unfortunate economic, competitive, or psychological setback, usually as a result of being deceived, swindled, or thoroughly defeated.
