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 champion boxer took his opponent to the cleaners in the ring, winning the fight in the first round.
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")
DisapprovingIdiom
Informal例子
The con artist is taking unsuspecting investors to the cleaners with his fraudulent schemes.
She always manages to take her competitors to the cleaners in business negotiations.
