grain of salt
noun phrase
variants
or less commonly pinch of salt
: a skeptical attitude
—used in the phrase take (something) with a grain/pinch of salt
I take the guidebooks with a grain of salt, preferring to follow my instincts.—
Daisann McLane
Daisann McLaneThe malleability of memory … is the first reason why autobiographies should be taken with a grain of salt.—Judith Rich Harris
Judith Rich HarrisExamples of grain of salt in a Sentence
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Take this category with a grain of salt.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2025
Given the small sample size, Luciano’s early success with an opposite-field heavy approach should be taken with a grain of salt.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
For that reason, much of the recent backslapping about California staunching the population bleeding needs to be taken with a large grain of salt.
—Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
Take the list with a grain of salt; some results could be outdated.
—Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grain of salt 
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Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2025
Given the small sample size, Luciano’s early success with an opposite-field heavy approach should be taken with a grain of salt.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
For that reason, much of the recent backslapping about California staunching the population bleeding needs to be taken with a large grain of salt.
—Jon Coupal, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
Take the list with a grain of salt; some results could be outdated.
—Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grain of salt
Dictionary Entries Near grain of salt
Cite this Entry
“Grain of salt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grain%20of%20salt. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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