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With a grain of salt

[ 2010-11-29 13:13]     字号 [] [] []  
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With a grain of salt
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."

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About the author:

Nelly Min is a journalist at the China Daily website.

 

 
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