Antonyms for the phrase "took the cleaners" could include "made a profit," "came out ahead," "won big," "made a killing," or "wound up on top." These terms indicate a positive financial outcome rather than a negative one, which is implied by "took the cleaners." In other words, these antonyms describe a situation in which someone is successful in a financial transaction or investment, rather than being exploited or losing money. These phrases could be applied to a range of scenarios, including successful business ventures, fortuitous gambling or betting, or wise investments that pay off in the long run.