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

He described the three people killed as “three beloved parishioners — salt of the earth people, just great, great people.”

From Washington Times • Jun. 26, 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

The energy in Liverpool, it's just salt of the earth people.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2022

“This was a woman, salt of the earth, who always worked fingers to bone,” De León said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2021

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