be taken to the cleaners

VERB

fail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break close drop end finish

STRONG

crash defalcate default dishonor fold overdraw repudiate terminate

WEAK

be cleaned out be in arrears be ruined become insolvent close down close one's doors drop a bundle go bankrupt go belly up go broke go bust go into Chapter 11 go out of business go to the wall go under go up lose big lose one's shirt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

begin commence continue start

WEAK

accomplish achieve capture complete deliver earn gain merit obtain procure prosper reach succeed win

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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be taken to the cleaners

There's also a feeling that if they click then the Wallabies - shorn again of the wonderful Rob Valetini in their back row - will be taken to the cleaners.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2025

In my eagerness to please, I accidentally complimented chipped baseboards and sacks of laundry waiting to be taken to the cleaners.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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be taken to the cleaners

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