# take it with a grain of salt

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-it-with-a-grain-of-salt
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Don’t take it too seriously

## Examples

- He exaggerates a lot, so take what he says with a grain of salt.
- The online reviews for that hotel are often fake, so you should take them with a grain of salt before booking.
- 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.

## 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. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.