Pronunciation: [wˈɜːt tˈe͡ɪkən ðə klˈiːnəz] (IPA) 
Correct spelling for the English word "wert taken the cleaners" is [wˈɜːt tˈe͡ɪkən ðə klˈiːnəz], [wˈɜːt tˈeɪkən ðə klˈiːnəz], [w_ˈɜː_t t_ˈeɪ_k_ə_n ð_ə k_l_ˈiː_n_ə_z] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
"Wert taken the cleaners" is an idiom that originated from sports betting and gambling contexts but has been widely adopted in colloquial language to refer to an individual or entity suffering a significant financial loss or being exploited or beaten in a competition or business transaction.
The idiom consists of three main components: "wert," "taken," and "the cleaners." "Wert," an archaic form of the verb "were," indicates past tense, referring to an event or situation that has already happened. "Taken," is the past participle of the verb "take," which here signifies the act of being captured, defeated, or harmed in some manner. Lastly, "the cleaners" metaphorically refers to a person or entity that removes or cleans up all available assets, leaving the affected individual or entity with nothing.
When someone is said to have been "taken the cleaners," it implies that they have suffered a severe defeat, loss, or financial setback, often resulting in a significant depletion of their resources or wealth. This idiom is commonly used to describe situations where a person or group has been outsmarted, overpowered, or exploited to such an extent that they have been left financially devastated or emotionally demoralized.
Overall, "wert taken the cleaners" conveys the notion of an individual or entity being utterly defeated or exploited, typically in the context of financial transactions, sports competitions, or any situation where one party has been seriously disadvantaged by another.
