What does “Take someone to the cleaners” mean?
"Take someone to the cleaners" means to take advantage of someone financially or to win decisively in a competition.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He really took me to the cleaners in that poker game.
Example
The car salesman took me to the cleaners with that high interest rate.
Example
The team took their opponents to the cleaners with a 10-0 victory
Is “Take someone to the cleaners” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Take someone to the cleaners” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Take someone to the cleaners” effectively in context?
You can use "Take (Someone) to the Cleaners" to describe a situation where someone is deceived or cheated, usually in a financial sense, resulting in them losing all of their money or possessions. For example, if a friend tells you about a bad investment that caused them to lose all their savings, you might say, 'Wow, that scam artist really took you to the cleaners.'
- 1Business
He thought he was getting a great deal, but in the end, the car salesman took him to the cleaners.
- 2Scams
The scam artist took the elderly couple to the cleaners, leaving them with nothing.
- 3Financial Fraud
She trusted her financial advisor, but he ended up taking her to the cleaners and stealing all of her savings.
Similar phrases to “Take someone to the cleaners”:
Fleece (Someone)
To deceive or cheat someone, usually by taking advantage of their trust or naivety
Example
The smooth-talking salesman fleeced the unsuspecting customer out of thousands of dollars.
Swindle (Someone)
To deceive or cheat someone, usually by tricking them into giving up money or valuables
Example
The con artist swindled the elderly woman out of her life savings.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Take someone to the cleaners” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Take (Someone) to the Cleaners" is unknown.
Is “Take someone to the cleaners” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Take (Someone) to the Cleaners" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations where someone is deceived or cheated out of their money or possessions.
What tone does “Take someone to the cleaners” have?
"Take (Someone) to the Cleaners" conveys a tone of surprise, disappointment, or sympathy. It is typically used to express shock or empathy towards someone who has been deceived or cheated.
Can “Take someone to the cleaners” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Take (Someone) to the Cleaners" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that describes a specific type of deception or cheating. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as business meetings or legal discussions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The contractor took me to the cleaners with his overpriced services.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He really took you to the cleaners!' to express surprise or disappointment.
