Take it with a grain of salt

The phrase Take it with a grain of salt is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of Take it with a grain of salt.

Meaning of "Take it with a grain of salt"

Meaning

The idiom “Take it with a grain of salt” is used to indicate that one should be cautious with how they interpret or accept advice or information. It suggests that whatever is being said should be treated with skepticism and not taken as absolute truth.

Etymology

The phrase “Take it with a grain of salt” likely originated from the Latin phrase “cum grano salis” which roughly translates to “with a grain of salt”. This idiom was first used in written English sometime in the early 1540’s. It is thought that it was used to encourage those reading to be cautious with how they interpreted the information they were being given.

Usage

This phrase is used quite commonly in everyday speech, especially when providing advice or information to someone else. It is also commonly used to disclaim information or advice that may be controversial or hard to believe. It is typically used in a humorous manner to lighten the mood of the conversation.

Example Sentences

• “My neighbor told me that a new restaurant is going to open up around the corner, but I’m going to take it with a grain of salt until it’s actually confirmed.”
• “My friend said that we should take a more expensive vacation this year, but I’m going to take it with a grain of salt since we’re on a budget.”
• “My boss said that he’s going to give us a raise next month, but I’m not going to believe it until it actually happens—I’ll take it with a grain of salt for now.”

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.