Have you ever heard someone using the term take it with a grain of salt? If so, you may have wondered what the phrase means. We are going to take a look at the meaning of this phrase as well as finding out where it first came from. We will also take the time to look at some examples of the idiom being used in a conversation in order to understand how it works.
Take It with a Grain of Salt
Take It with a Grain of Salt Meaning
When someone uses the term take it with a grain of salt they are saying that the information you are hearing should not be taken overly seriously.
Origin of the saying
The phrase take it with a grain of salt originally comes from an ancient text which featured the phrase. The term refers to the fact that food is more easily swallowed if done so with a small helping of salt.
“Take It with a Grain of Salt” Examples
Examples in Statements
We are now going to take a look at some sentences in which the term take it with a grain of salt might be seen.
The first statement is being made by one friend to another.
- I know that you were told your girlfriend is having an affair but everything Mary says is exaggerated, I would take it with a grain of salt.
The second statement is being made in a blog post.
- I was given a lot of information on the killing of the girl but I took most of it with a grain of salt as the source was a friend of the killer.
Conversation Examples
There are many conversations in which you might hear the term take it with a grain of salt, let’s take a look at some examples of how this might look.
The first conversation is happening between two people who work together.
- Person 1: “I have heard that the company is going to let a lot of people go.”
- Person 2: “Who told you that?”
- Person 1: “Lucy told me.”
- Person 2: “I’d take it with a grain of salt, she tends to hear things wrong.”
The next conversation is between a mother and daughter.
- Person 1: “The school says I won’t pass my exams.”
- Person 2: “You’re a clever girl, take it with a grain of salt, they’re probably saying it to make you study harder.”
Other Ways to Say the Idiom
There are other ways in which you might express the meaning of the term take it with a grain of salt, we are now going to look at some examples of things you might say.
- Take it with a pinch of salt
- Don’t pay too much attention
Learn more useful idioms with American English pronunciation video.
Take It with a Grain of Salt | Image
Last Updated on March 24, 2020