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• salt of the earth
  salt of the earth

  noun

  an individual or group considered as representative of the best or noblest elements of society.
• salt of the Earth
  salt of the Earth

  Basic, fundamental goodness; the phrase can be used to describe any simple, good person: “I like Mary: she's reliable, trustworthy, and straightforward; she's the salt of the Earth.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers, who are mainly fishermen and other simple people, “Ye are the salt of the Earth.”

salt of the earth

American  

noun

1. an individual or group considered as representative of the best or noblest elements of society.

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salt of the Earth Cultural  

1. Basic, fundamental goodness; the phrase can be used to describe any simple, good person: “I like Mary: she's reliable, trustworthy, and straightforward; she's the salt of the Earth.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers, who are mainly fishermen and other simple people, “Ye are the salt of the Earth.”

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Etymology

Origin of salt of the earth

1350–1400; Middle English; after Matthew 5:13

Example Sentences

The Stones, while massive, still fit the salt of the earth sound of the show, and this album reflects a lot of that mid- to late ’70s gritty rock sound they created.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2023

Elliott is very familiar with playing tough, salt of the earth characters like cowboys.

From Washington Times • Jun. 22, 2023

"It is true there are few of us here, but we call ourselves the salt of the earth because even a pinch of salt can add a lot of flavour to this town."

From Reuters • Apr. 13, 2023

"That's how these people are. They're salt of the earth... That's what we're trying to save."

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2020

These were good people, common people; the salt of the earth; people whom I should count myself fortunate to know.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• admirable
• decent
• deserving
• desirable
• excellent
• honest
• laudable
• noble
• reliable
• satisfying
• true
• trustworthy
• valuable
• worthwhile