grain of salt

Cultural  

1. To “take something with a grain of salt” is to view a statement with a skeptical attitude. “She took the claim that he didn't want to be president with a grain of salt.”

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Example Sentences

Researchers at Cornell University, working with collaborators, have created an extremely small neural implant that can sit on a grain of salt.

From Science Daily

“This is all part of what we call the ‘fog of war’ when one has to take everything one hears with a grain of salt, focusing on actual developments.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Just as important, I’m using AI to tame my human susceptibility to praise, so that when I do get a sycophantic response to my prompts, I take it with a hearty grain of salt.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s not like we are making decisions not to pass a bill because of ‘sign ins,’” she said, “So we’ll take it with a grain of salt.”

From The Wall Street Journal

While China hit its growth target last year, it should be taken with "a grain of salt", as other data suggests a weaker economic picture, said Georgetown University policy researcher Ning Leng.

From BBC

Related Words

• check
• condition
• constraint
• control
• curb
• limit
• regulation
• restraint
• rule
• stipulation
• stricture