take with a pinch of salt

take something with a pinch of salt and take something with a grain of slt

Fig. to listen to a story or an explanation with considerable doubt. You must take anything she says with a grain of salt. She doesn't always tell the truth. They took my explanation with a pinch of salt. I was sure they didn't believe me.

See also: pinch, salt, take

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take something with a pinch of salt  (British & Australian) also take something with a grain of salt (American & Australian)

if you take what someone says with a pinch of salt, you do not completely believe it You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt. She has a tendency to exaggerate. It's interesting to read the reports in the newspapers, but I tend to take them with a grain of salt.

See rub salt in the wound

See also: pinch, salt, take