take patience with a grain of salt
To not completely believe something about patience
शाब्दिक अर्थ: To consume the concept of patience with a small amount of table salt.
Use this when you suspect that 'being patient' is actually just bad advice or a delay tactic.
15 सेकंड में
- Don't fully believe advice about waiting.
- Stay skeptical when someone tells you to be patient.
- Add a little doubt to clichés about timing.
मतलब
This means you shouldn't fully believe or trust advice about being patient. It suggests that while someone says 'just wait,' you should stay a bit skeptical.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Talking about a slow promotion
My boss told me to wait another year, but I'm taking that patience with a grain of salt.
My boss told me to wait another year, but I don't fully believe that's good advice.
Texting a friend about a date
He said he's 'just busy,' but I'm taking his request for patience with a grain of salt.
He said he's busy, but I don't really trust his excuse for making me wait.
Discussing a tech release
The company says the bugs will be fixed soon, but take their 'patience' with a grain of salt.
The company wants us to wait, but don't trust that they will actually fix it.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The phrase is a specific application of a Latin proverb, 'cum grano salis.' It suggests that a bit of skepticism (the salt) makes a doubtful story (the food) easier to swallow. In Western culture, this specific variation highlights a growing impatience with traditional 'wait and see' attitudes.
The 'Pinch' Alternative
If you are talking to someone from the UK, use `pinch of salt` instead of `grain`. It sounds more natural to them!
Don't be too salty
In modern slang, `salty` means angry or bitter. This idiom is about doubt, not necessarily being mad!
15 सेकंड में
- Don't fully believe advice about waiting.
- Stay skeptical when someone tells you to be patient.
- Add a little doubt to clichés about timing.
What It Means
Imagine someone tells you that 'patience is a virtue.' This phrase suggests you shouldn't swallow that idea whole. You add a little 'salt' to it. It means you are being skeptical. You are questioning if waiting is actually the best move. It is about not being naive. You are keeping your guard up regarding someone's calm advice.
How To Use It
You use this when someone gives you a cliché. If a mentor says 'good things come to those who wait,' you use this. You can say you are taking that advice with a grain of salt. It functions as a verb phrase in your sentence. You are the subject acting upon the advice. It shows you are a critical thinker. You aren't just a passive listener.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend tells you to 'just be patient' with a bad partner. Use it when a boss says a promotion is coming 'eventually.' It fits perfectly when the advice feels a bit too simple. It works well in conversations about timing and strategy. It is great for venting to a trusted colleague. It adds a layer of healthy cynicism to your talk.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you actually believe the advice. If you are truly waiting happily, skip this phrase. Avoid it in very high-stakes legal situations. It might sound too casual or dismissive there. Don't use it if someone is grieving and needs real comfort. Saying you're taking their 'patience' with salt might sound rude. It is for opinions, not deep emotional support.
Cultural Background
This is a twist on the classic take it with a grain of salt. That original idiom dates back to ancient Roman times. Pliny the Elder mentioned salt as an antidote to poison. In modern English, salt represents the 'truth' or 'reality' check. We apply it to patience because patience is often used as an excuse for inaction. It reflects a modern, fast-paced culture that values results.
Common Variations
You might hear take it with a pinch of salt in British English. Some people might say take their calmness with a grain of salt. Others might say I'm skeptical of that patience. The core idea always involves that tiny, sharp seasoning of doubt. It makes the 'meal' of advice easier to digest without getting sick.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
This phrase is most common in casual or semi-professional settings. It is a great way to show you are not easily fooled by vague promises of 'future success.'
The 'Pinch' Alternative
If you are talking to someone from the UK, use `pinch of salt` instead of `grain`. It sounds more natural to them!
Don't be too salty
In modern slang, `salty` means angry or bitter. This idiom is about doubt, not necessarily being mad!
The 'Wait' Trap
In the US, 'just be patient' is often seen as a polite way to say 'no.' Using this phrase shows you've figured that out.
उदाहरण
6My boss told me to wait another year, but I'm taking that patience with a grain of salt.
My boss told me to wait another year, but I don't fully believe that's good advice.
Expresses professional skepticism about a delay.
He said he's 'just busy,' but I'm taking his request for patience with a grain of salt.
He said he's busy, but I don't really trust his excuse for making me wait.
Shows doubt in a romantic context.
The company says the bugs will be fixed soon, but take their 'patience' with a grain of salt.
The company wants us to wait, but don't trust that they will actually fix it.
Used to warn others about corporate promises.
The trainer said results take months; I'm taking that patience with a grain of salt and a side of fries.
The trainer told me to wait for results, but I'm skeptical and want food now.
Uses the 'salt' metaphor to lead into a joke about food.
Grandpa says patience is a virtue, but I take that with a grain of salt in this economy.
Grandpa thinks waiting is good, but I don't think that works today.
Contrasts traditional wisdom with modern reality.
The doctor said to wait for the tests, but I'm taking that patience with a grain of salt and seeking a second opinion.
The doctor told me to be patient, but I'm not sure waiting is the right choice.
Shows proactive doubt in a serious setting.
खुद को परखो
Choose the best word to complete the skeptical thought.
When the landlord said the heater would be fixed 'eventually,' I took his call for ___ with a grain of salt.
The phrase specifically targets the act of waiting or being patient as the thing to be skeptical about.
Complete the idiom correctly.
I know you want me to wait, but I'm taking that advice with a ___ of salt.
The standard idiom always uses 'grain' (or sometimes 'pinch') to describe the small amount of salt.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality of 'Take Patience with a Grain of Salt'
Too structured for pure slang.
N/A
Perfect for friends and family.
Take his 'wait and see' with a grain of salt.
Good for office talk with peers.
We should take the client's patience with a grain of salt.
A bit too idiomatic for a legal brief.
N/A
When to be Skeptical
Broken Promises
When a 'check is in the mail.'
Vague Timelines
When a project has no end date.
Dating Excuses
When someone is 'finding themselves.'
Customer Service
When you are on hold for an hour.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालAlmost! This is just a specific version. While the general phrase applies to any information, this version specifically targets the advice to be patient.
Yes, you can. This implies that his act of being patient might be fake or hiding something else.
It can be. It implies you don't fully trust someone, so it's best used when talking *about* someone rather than *to* them.
Historically, salt was used to help swallow unpleasant food or as a medicine. Here, it helps you 'swallow' a story that might be a lie.
No, that would change the meaning. Sugar-coating means making something sound better than it is, which is different from being skeptical.
Always use a grain of salt. Using 'the' makes it sound like a specific, physical grain of salt, which sounds weird.
Yes, especially when discussing deadlines or promises from competitors. It shows you are realistic.
You could say you take something at face value, which means you believe it exactly as it is presented.
Usually not. It's almost always used for things you are suspicious of or things that seem too good to be true.
Not necessarily. It just means you are being cautious and thinking critically about what you're told.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Take it with a grain of salt
Don't hold your breath
Trust but verify
Wait and see
Read between the lines
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