salt of the earth
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of salt of the earth
1350–1400; Middle English; after Matthew 5:13
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The people we cater to at these things are ... everyday people, salt of the earth people.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2025
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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.