cleaner

[klee-ner] /ˈkli nər/
noun
1.
a person who cleans, especially one whose regular occupation is cleaning offices, buildings, equipment, etc.
2.
an apparatus or machine for cleaning, as a vacuum cleaner.
3.
a preparation for use in cleaning, as a detergent or chemical bleach.
4.
the owner or operator of a dry-cleaning establishment:
The cleaner said he couldn't get the spot off my coat.
5.
Usually, cleaners. a dry-cleaning establishment:
My suit is at the cleaners.
Idioms
6.
take to the cleaners, Slang. to cause to lose all or a great deal of one's money or personal property, as through gambling or a bad investment:
He got taken to the cleaners in the poker game last night.
Origin
1425-75; late Middle English clener. See clean, -er1
Related forms
precleaner, noun
British Dictionary definitions for take to the cleaners

cleaner

/ˈkliːnə/
noun
1.
a person, device, chemical agent, etc, that removes dirt, as from clothes or carpets
2.
(usually pl) a shop, etc that provides a dry-cleaning service
3.
(informal) take a person to the cleaners, to rob or defraud a person of all of his money
Word Origin and History for take to the cleaners

cleaner

n.

mid-15c., agent noun from clean (v.). Meaning "shop that cleans clothes" is from 1873. To take (someone) to the cleaners "get all of (someone's) money" is from 1921.

Idioms and Phrases with take to the cleaners

take to the cleaners

.
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. [ ; early 1900s ]
.
Drub, beat up, as in He didn't just push you—he took you to the cleaners. [ ; early 1900s ]