with a grain of salt

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.

“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 • Mar. 24, 2026

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 • Mar. 4, 2026

I take that with a grain of salt but, hey, I’m up for anything.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

I would take this with a grain of salt; your mobile home may or may not increase in value by 100% over the next two decades.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

Since Rose-Ivy took everything she heard with a grain of salt, she didn’t think the story about the haint made sense.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney