ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take it with a grain of salt

idiom
Meaning

Don’t take it too seriously


Origin

disputed origin

From the Latin 'cum grano salis'; Pliny the Elder's Natural History (77 AD) describes an antidote to be taken with a grain of salt.

Examples
SIMPLE

He exaggerates a lot, so take what he says with a grain of salt.

CONTEXTUAL

The online reviews for that hotel are often fake, so you should take them with a grain of salt before booking.

COMPLEX

While the initial data suggests a significant shift in the market, experts advise investors to take the report with a grain of salt until more research is conducted.

Last updated June 7, 2026