to take somebody to the cleaners
01
to defeat a person or a group thoroughly, often in a very humiliating manner
![to [take] {sb} to the cleaners definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/39973/original/?type=jpeg "to [take] {sb} to the cleaners definition and meaning")
Disapproving
Idiom
例
The champion boxer took his opponent to the cleaners in the ring, winning the fight in the first round.
02
to take someone's possessions by force or without the right to do so
![to [take] {sb} to the cleaners definition and meaning](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/43961/original/?type=jpeg "to [take] {sb} to the cleaners definition and meaning")
Disapproving
Idiom
Informal
例
The con artist is taking unsuspecting investors to the cleaners with his fraudulent schemes.
