[Idiom] TAKE WITH A PINCH OF SALT. - How to Stay Level-Headed with Dubious Information
Take with a pinch of salt.
/teɪk wɪð ə pɪntʃ əv sɔːlt/
To view something with skepticism.
Take with a pinch of salt" means to not take something completely seriously or to maintain a degree of skepticism about its truth. The origin of this phrase lies in the idea that food can be made more palatable with a little salt, so an unbelievable story might be easier to accept if taken with a "pinch of salt." This idiom is particularly relevant in today's digital age where misinformation is rampant, advising a cautious evaluation of the information we consume.
Example Sentences
Take his advice with a pinch of salt.
The person is advised to not fully believe the advice given, but to listen with some doubt.
I took the rumors with a pinch of salt.
The person is skeptical about the rumors, thus not fully believing or dismissing them.
You should take these predictions with a pinch of salt; they're not always accurate.
The advice is to be cautious about the predictions, accepting them but also questioning their reliability.