Idioms

take with a grain of salt | take with a pinch of salt

This page is about the idiom take with a grain of salt | take with a pinch of salt

Meaning

If you take what someone says with a grain of salt, or with a pinch of salt, you have doubts about the truth or accuracy of what they say.

For example

  • Uncle Bill tells some great stories, but we take what he says with a grain of salt because he sometimes exaggerates or makes things up.

  • Sue says the internet is great, but she takes a lot of the information there with a pinch of salt until she sees the same information on a few different websites.

Note:
"Take it with a grain of salt" is more common in American and Australian English, while "take it with a pinch of salt" is more common in British English.

Quick Quiz

When your grandma tells stories about the past, you should take what she says with a grain of salt because

a. she tells really funny stories

b. she doesn't always speak very clearly

c. she doesn't always remember things accurately
a) she tells really funny stories b) she doesn't always speak very clearly c) she doesn't always remember things accurately

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey