be taken to the cleaners (by someone)

be taken to the cleaners (by someone)

1. To have a lot or all of one's money taken, swindled, or cheated (by someone). I was taken to the cleaners by the IRS after they found out I hadn't been declaring my freelance work on my tax returns. I made such a big deal about going to the poker tournament that I couldn't bear to tell my husband that I'd been taken to the cleaners.2. To be soundly defeated or bested; to lose by a wide margin. The young team's inexperience showed on the field today, as they were taken to the cleaners by the veteran squad.See also: cleaner, taken