Fig. to listen to a story or an explanation with considerable doubt. You must take anything she says with a grain of salt. She doesn't always tell the truth. They took my explanation with a pinch of salt. I was sure they didn't believe me.
(British & Australian) alsotake something with a grain of salt (American & Australian)
if you take what someone says with a pinch of salt, you do not completely believe it You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt. She has a tendency to exaggerate.It's interesting to read the reports in the newspapers, but I tend to take them with a grain of salt.