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
… 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.
Some opinions, however, should be taken with a grain of salt and some are worth listening to. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 27 Apr. 2026 Drug dealers laced their products with this treacherous substance, which can be fatal in amounts as tiny as a few grains of salt. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 Take that with a grain of salt. New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026 Take that with a grain of salt. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Grain of salt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grain%20of%20salt. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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