grain of salt
Skeptic's tiny seasoning
A grain of salt is a small measure of skepticism.
To take something with a grain of salt is to receive it with mild doubt rather than full acceptance.
The expression suggests that questionable claims go down easier with seasoning—a pinch of skepticism makes them more palatable.
Take his promises with a grain of salt.
Lack of firm belief
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
incredulity · cynicism · wariness · distrust · hesitation · reservation · misgiving · qualm
Warning to shoppers
- trust but verifyBelieve, then double-check
- face valuePrinted denomination shown
- benefit of the doubtFavorable judgment amid uncertainty
- unreliable narratorStoryteller whose credibility wavers
questionable · unverified · hearsay · rumor · secondhand · anecdotal · alleged
Careful, wise judgment
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
- warinessCautious distrust
guardedness · vigilance · heedfulness · judiciousness · deliberation · measured · tempering · qualification
Methodical study of parts
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- critical thinkingObjective evaluation of information
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
appraisal · examination · scrutiny · interpretation · perspective · nuance · context · rebuttal
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
uncertainty · incredulity · cynicism · wariness · distrust · hesitation · reservation · misgiving · qualm · dubiousness
caveat emptor
Warning to shoppers
- trust but verifyBelieve, then double-check
- face valuePrinted denomination shown
- benefit of the doubtFavorable judgment amid uncertainty
unreliable narrator · questionable · unverified · hearsay · rumor · secondhand · anecdotal · alleged
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
wariness · guardedness · vigilance · heedfulness · judiciousness · deliberation · measured · tempering · qualification · caveat
analysis
Methodical study of parts
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
- critical thinkingObjective evaluation of information
discernment · appraisal · examination · scrutiny · interpretation · perspective · nuance · context · rebuttal · counterpoint
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- skepticismdoubt, skeptic, doubts, debunker, doubtful
grain of saltblind faith
Trust without requiring proof
credulity · trust · faith · gullibility · taking at face value
grain of saltcertainty
Total absence of doubt
confidence · conviction · absolute certainty · sureness · assurance
grain, grains, grained, grainy, graininess, salt, salts, salty, salted