with a grain of salt

Calque of Latin cum grānō salis, literally with a grain of salt, figuratively with a bit of common sense.

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with a grain of salt (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic) With a little common sense and skepticism. Generally used with the verb take.

   I take anything I read on the Internet with a grain of salt.

Always appears modifying the verb "take".

• face value, pinch of salt