“Take It with a Grain of Salt” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 9, 2024 by Liam Daniel

Have you ever heard someone using the term take it with a grain of salt? If so, you may have wondered what the phrase means. We are going to take a look at the meaning of this phrase as well as finding out where it first came from. We will also take the time to look at some examples of the idiom being used in a conversation in order to understand how it works.

“Take It with a Grain of Salt” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “take it with a grain of salt” means to view something with skepticism or not take it too seriously. It suggests that you should be cautious or critical about the information provided, as it may not be entirely accurate or reliable.
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“Take It with a Grain of Salt” Meaning

The phrase “take it with a grain of salt” means to view something with skepticism or to not take it too seriously. It suggests that one should consider the information or statement with caution, acknowledging that it may not be entirely accurate or trustworthy.

Examples:

  • “When he tells stories about his adventures, I take them with a grain of salt; he tends to exaggerate.”
  • “The rumors about the company’s merger should be taken with a grain of salt until there’s official confirmation.”

Origin of the Saying

The origin of this phrase is believed to date back to ancient times. It is thought to refer to the idea that a small amount of salt can make something unpleasant more palatable, thus implying that one should treat certain information lightly or with a degree of skepticism. The phrase has been used in English since the 17th century.

Usage of “Take It with a Grain of Salt”

  • In a conversation about a rumor:

“I heard they might be downsizing the company, but I’d take that with a grain of salt until we get official news.”

  • When discussing exaggerated stories:

“He said he met a famous celebrity last night, but knowing him, I’d take it with a grain of salt.”

  • In a workplace setting:

“The client’s feedback was very positive, but I’d take it with a grain of salt until we see actual results.”

  • Talking about questionable advice:

“She offered some tips on how to lose weight, but I’d take them with a grain of salt since she’s not a nutritionist.”

Related Terms to “Take It with a Grain of Salt”

  • Skeptical – having doubts or reservations about the truth of something.
  • Caution advised – suggesting that one should be careful in accepting information.
  • Questionable – something that is doubtful or not fully credible.
  • With a pinch of salt – a variation of the phrase that conveys the same meaning.
  • Doubtful – feeling uncertain about the truth or reliability of something.
  • Take it lightly – to treat something as not serious or significant.
  • Don’t believe everything you hear – a reminder to be critical of the information one receives.
  • Keep an open mind – to remain receptive to new ideas while being cautious about their validity.
  • Not all that glitters is gold – a phrase indicating that not everything that appears valuable is trustworthy.
  • Read between the lines – to look for deeper meanings or implications beyond what is explicitly stated.

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

There are other ways in which you might express the meaning of the term take it with a grain of salt, we are now going to look at some examples of things you might say.

  • Take it with a pinch of salt
  • Don’t pay too much attention

“Take It with a Grain of Salt” Examples

Examples in Statements

We are now going to take a look at some sentences in which the term take it with a grain of salt might be seen.

The first statement is being made by one friend to another.

  • I know that you were told your girlfriend is having an affair but everything Mary says is exaggerated, I would take it with a grain of salt.

The second statement is being made in a blog post.

  • I was given a lot of information on the killing of the girl but I took most of it with a grain of salt as the source was a friend of the killer.

Conversation Examples

There are many conversations in which you might hear the term take it with a grain of salt, let’s take a look at some examples of how this might look.

The first conversation is happening between two people who work together.

  • Person 1: “I have heard that the company is going to let a lot of people go.”
  • Person 2: “Who told you that?”
  • Person 1: “Lucy told me.”
  • Person 2: “I’d take it with a grain of salt, she tends to hear things wrong.”

The next conversation is between a mother and daughter.

  • Person 1: “The school says I won’t pass my exams.”
  • Person 2: “You’re a clever girl, take it with a grain of salt, they’re probably saying it to make you study harder.”

Learn more useful idioms with American English pronunciation video.

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