"Taking someone to the cleaners" is an idiomatic expression that originated in colloquial English and is used to describe an individual or group being severely cheated, deceived or exploited, typically in a financial context. This phrase metaphorically refers to the act of being stripped of one's possessions, similar to how a person's clothing would be stripped when taken to a dry cleaner's shop.
When someone is taken to the cleaners, they experience a significant loss, either in terms of money, resources, reputation, or even emotional well-being. This expression is often employed to highlight a situation where an individual has been outsmarted, manipulated, or taken advantage of, resulting in a debilitating outcome for the victim.
The phrase is commonly used in an informal or conversational setting, usually to relay stories of personal experiences or to express empathy or shock towards a person's unfortunate circumstance. It underscores the severity of the deceit or exploitation that has occurred, often suggesting that the victim has been thoroughly and mercilessly exploited, leaving them in a state of financial or personal ruin.
Overall, "taking someone to the cleaners" is an idiomatic expression that vividly signifies an individual suffering significant losses, typically due to financial exploitation or deceit, and metaphorically compares this experience to being stripped bare like one's clothing at a dry cleaner's shop.
