grain of salt

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.”

Example Sentences

"Take the gain with a huge grain of salt," economists at Wells Fargo wrote in a research note.

From BBC

Take them with a grain of salt, however: De Jong, then in his 70s, was very experienced but not formally trained in archaeology.

From Los Angeles Times

Take that with a grain of salt, maybe, because the White House is simultaneously making noise about investigating Powell—who can only be fired “for cause,” i.e., for misconduct—for purportedly spending too much on Fed headquarters renovations.

From Slate

"POWs are a particularly vulnerable category of witnesses, any evidence they give should be taken with a grain of salt."

From BBC

She instead says that they are long-term strategic moves, and that the figures should be taken "with a little bit of a grain of salt".

From BBC

Related Words

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