Nelly Min

Reader's question:

I'm glad to see you're taking all this with a grain of salt.

Could you explain “with a grain of salt”?

My comments:

To take a statement with "a grain of salt" or "a pinch of salt" means to accept it but to maintain a degree of skepticism about its truth.

Thus, "a grain of salt" means a bit of common sense and skepticism.

Example: I would take anything I read in the paper with a grain of salt.

The idea comes from the fact that food is more easily swallowed if taken with a small amount of salt.

The figurative meaning is that truth may require moderation by the notional application of "a grain of salt."

get my rib in my heart

With bells on

No harm, no foul

Pick up the slack

length and breadth of

get up to speed on something

Borrowed time

On a shoestring

Shake a leg

Sing to a new tune

Truth lies somewhere in the middle

For all intents and purposes

Kick sth.when it's down

Opening credits

God only knows

Speak of the devil

Hold a candle to

Jump the gun

Be possible if not probable

Draw a line in the sand

That's saying a lot

Come hell or high water

Right on cue

Bull's-eye

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About the author:

Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily website.