The term 'take to the cleaners' is an idiom that means to take advantage of someone or to swindle them out of money. The crossword solutions for this term are 'FLEECE, ' 'BILK, ' 'SCAM, ' 'HOSE, ' and 'SOAK.' 'FLEECE' means to take advantage of someone in a dishonest way, usually by taking their money. 'BILK' means to defraud someone of money or property. 'SCAM' is a fraudulent scheme designed to cheat people out of money. 'HOSE' means to swindle someone out of money. Finally, 'SOAK' means to take advantage of someone in a dishonest way, usually by taking their money.