The dishonest mechanic took me to the cleaners.
take to the cleaners
idiomTo take a significant quantity of a person's money or valuables, through overcharging, litigation, unfavorable investing, gambling, fraud, etc.
Origin
disputed originA humorous alteration of the older expression to clean (someone) out.
After losing all his savings in that bad investment, he realized the firm had taken him to the cleaners.
The aggressive legal team took the small company to the cleaners, leaving them with nothing but debt after the long court battle.
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 04
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 05
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 06
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 07
have one's name taken
To receive a yellow card.
- 08
I take it
Used to express one's understanding of another's position.
Last updated April 17, 2026