take with a pinch of salt

take (something) with a pinch of salt

To consider or evaluate something, such as a statement, while keeping in mind that it may not be completely true or accurate, typically due to the unreliability of the source. Kevin said that you can get into the club for free if you wear red, but I'm taking it with a pinch of salt. Take whatever that paper publishes with a pinch of salt—it's really a tabloid.

See also: of, pinch, salt, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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: of, pinch, salt, take

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.