English Idioms

to take something with a pinch of salt

Spoiler

User since 2008
Posts: 499

29 Oct. 2011

What does "to take something with a pinch of salt" mean? Does it mean NOT to take something too seriously and verbatimly or r to be careful about something that is uttered? Or both? It is the same as "to take something with a grain of salt"? Or is there a difference?

I would understand "to take something with a grain of salt" to be careful and suspicious abouth something that is said to you, and not to see as a full fact. Whereas "to take something with a pinch of salt" is not to take something too seriously and not to take it to much to heart.

Do English native speakers make a distinction between the two forms anyway?

2 comments

Spoiler
User since 2008
Posts: 499
29 Oct. 2011

What does "to take something with a pinch of salt" mean? Does it mean NOT to take something too seriously and verbatimly or r to be careful about something that is uttered? Or both? It is the same as "to take something with a grain of salt"? Or is there a difference?

I would understand "to take something with a grain of salt" to be careful and suspicious abouth something that is said to you, and not to see as a full fact. Whereas "to take something with a pinch of salt" is not to take something too seriously and not to take it to much to heart.

Do English native speakers make a distinction between the two forms anyway?
What does "to take something with a pinch of salt" mean? Does it mean NOT to take something too seriously and verbatimly or r to be careful about something that is uttered? Or both? It is the same as "to take something with a grain of salt"? Or is there a difference? I would understand "to take something with a grain of salt" to be careful and suspicious abouth something that is said to you, and not to see as a full fact. Whereas "to take something with a pinch of salt" is not to take something too seriously and not to take it to much to heart. Do English native speakers make a distinction between the two forms anyway?
Gymglish Support
User since 2010
Posts: 115
31 Oct. 2011

Hi Augustine,

I am less familiar with the 'grain of salt' expression, but I doubt there's a difference between the two expressions.

As you say, 'to take something with a pinch of salt' usually means not to take something too seriously, or to be careful or wary about something which may not be completely genuine.
Hi Augustine, I am less familiar with the 'grain of salt' expression, but I doubt there's a difference between the two expressions. As you say, 'to take something with a pinch of salt' usually means not to take something too seriously, or to be careful or wary about something which may not be completely genuine.

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