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
例子
The company's aggressive marketing strategy took its competitors to the cleaners, driving them out of business.
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
例子
She always manages to take her competitors to the cleaners in business negotiations.
