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

The malleability of memory … is the first reason why autobiographies should be taken with a grain of salt.—

Judith Rich Harris

Examples of grain of salt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This is, however, a cross-brand problem with shorts, so take it with a grain of salt. —

Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024 Despite mounting evidence of dark chocolate's health benefits, the scientists behind the new study recommend taking their findings with a grain of salt. —

Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024 Fans took Almonte’s statement with a grain of salt. —

Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 2 Dec. 2024 As always, take whatever the AI says with a grain of salt and make sure to double-check the information that the AI provides. —

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grain of salt

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of grain of salt was in 1647

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Grain of salt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grain%20of%20salt. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation