take to the cleaners

Drub, beat up, as in He didn't just push you—he took you to the cleaners . [ Slang ; early 1900s]
Take or cheat one out of all of one's money or possessions, as in Her divorce lawyer took him to the cleaners , or That broker has taken a number of clients to the cleaners . [ Slang ; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

So her husband had put the dress in his trunk along with his wife’s veil, and given it to her by her mother-in-law to take to the cleaners.

Her husband had put the dress in his trunk along with his wife’s veil, given to her by her mother-in-law, to take to the cleaners.

These include clean out or clean up, roast, stuff, straighten, mop up, chew up, have for breakfast, take to the cleaners and wipe the floor with.

From BBC

But this EU is a smelly sock you need to throw away or at least take to the cleaners.

But this EU is a smelly sock you need to throw away or at least take to the cleaners.

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