take something with a pinch of salt

You usually use it with verbs like take or receive. You can say, "I take his advice with a pinch of salt." It acts as a warning to others. It tells them to stay skeptical. You can also use it about yourself. It shows you are a critical thinker. Don't use it for absolute facts. Use it for opinions, rumors, or dramatic stories. It’s like a mental filter for your ears.

Use it when reading celebrity gossip or tabloids. Use it when a friend who loves drama tells a story. It’s perfect for political promises during election season. You can use it at work too. Maybe a colleague is over-promising on a deadline. It’s a polite way to say, "I'll believe it when I see it." It works well in casual chats and emails.

Never use this in a crisis. If a doctor gives you medical advice, don't say you'll take it with a pinch of salt. That would be rude and dangerous! Avoid it in very legal or high-stakes contracts. It implies the other person might be lying. Don't use it with someone you deeply trust. It might hurt their feelings. It suggests you think they are exaggerating.

This phrase is incredibly old. It supposedly comes from an ancient Roman recipe for an antivenom. The idea was that poison is less deadly if taken with salt. Over time, the 'poison' became 'lies' or 'exaggerations.' In American English, people often say grain of salt. In British English, pinch is more common. Both mean exactly the same thing. It reflects a Western cultural value of healthy skepticism.

In the US, you will almost always hear take it with a grain of salt. In the UK and Australia, pinch is the standard. Sometimes people just say, "Take that with a big pinch." The 'bigger' the pinch, the less you should believe the story. You might also hear with a healthy dose of skepticism. That is the more formal cousin of our salty phrase.