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

Some investors seem to be expecting a manufacturing rebound in the United States, but next week’s release of the February U.S. PMI Manufacturing index should be taken taken with a grain of salt, cautioned Thomas Carroll, an analyst in institutional equity strategy at Stifel, in a note to clients. —Jesse Pound, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Yes, but: Many Republicans maintained town halls and protests should be taken with a grain of salt, if not altogether discounted, because of liberal groups directing their members to show up in force. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025

Best Gaming Drive Photograph: Western Digital Western Digital P40 Gaming Drive $140 $120 at Amazon $130 $120 at B&H Photo $180 $122 at Best Buy 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

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grain of salt

• millivolt
• somersault
• thunderbolt
• alt
• fault
• gault
• halt
• malt
• sault
• vault
• walt
• asphalt