How to Use the Idiom ‘Take Something with a Pinch of Salt’ in English

Have you ever received advice or information that seemed a little... questionable? Maybe a friend swore by a bizarre life hack, or you read a too-good-to-be-true tip online. In moments like these, English speakers often use the idiom ‘take something with a pinch of salt’ to express healthy skepticism. Let’s explore what this idiom means, how to use it, and some common examples to help you sound more natural in English conversations.

What Does ‘Take Something with a Pinch of Salt’ Mean?

This English idiom is a handy way to say that you don’t completely believe something or that you’re cautious about accepting advice or information as the full truth. It’s often used in situations where the information might be exaggerated, overly simplistic, or not entirely applicable to you.

In essence, it’s like saying: ‘I’ll believe it... but only partially!’

Why a ‘Pinch of Salt’?

The phrase likely comes from the idea that adding a pinch of salt to food makes it more palatable or easier to digest. Similarly, when you take information or advice with a pinch of salt, you’re mentally adding a little ‘flavour’ of doubt to it.

Examples in Everyday Conversations

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom when talking about advice or information:

1️⃣ My friend told me drinking hot water with lemon cures all illnesses, but I think I’ll take that with a pinch of salt.

This shows skepticism about a piece of health advice that seems exaggerated.

2️⃣ The internet says you can become fluent in English in just one month... I’ll definitely take that with a pinch of salt!

This highlights how unrealistic some claims can be.

3️⃣ A colleague said to work smarter, not harder, but didn’t explain how. I’ll take that with a pinch of salt until I see results.

This acknowledges the advice but leaves room for doubt.

4️⃣ Someone told me waking up at 5 a.m. every day will change my life. Interesting idea, but I think I’ll take that with a pinch of salt—5 a.m. is not for me!

Here, the idiom politely rejects advice that doesn’t suit the speaker’s lifestyle.

When to Use This Idiom

You can use take something with a pinch of salt in a variety of contexts:

• Advice: When someone gives you tips that seem oversimplified or unlikely to work.

• Gossip: When you hear a rumor and aren’t sure it’s true.

• Online information: When reading claims that sound too good to be true.

• Exaggerated stories: When someone tells you something that seems a bit far-fetched.

Learning idioms like take something with a pinch of salt helps you navigate real-life conversations in English with more nuance and confidence.