Take it with a Grain of Salt – बात को ज्यादा गंभीरता से न लेना

The idiom “take it with a grain of salt” means to not take something too seriously, or to view it with a bit of skepticism. It is used when you believe that the information being given might not be completely accurate or reliable, and should be taken with some doubt or caution.

Meaning:

• “Take it with a grain of salt” implies that you should be cautious about believing something wholeheartedly.
• It suggests that you should question or distrust the accuracy of what is being said, rather than accepting it at face value.

Used When:

• Someone tells you something that sounds unbelievable or suspect, and you want to express doubt about its truthfulness.
• It can also be used when someone shares a rumor, and you think it might not be entirely true or reliable.

Implied Message:
When you say “take it with a grain of salt,” you are advising the other person to approach the information with caution and not to jump to conclusions too quickly. You suggest that the information might be exaggerated, inaccurate, or even misleading.

Hindi Equivalent:
“बात को ज्यादा गंभीरता से न लेना”
(अर्थ: जब कोई सूचना शक़ या संदेह के साथ दी जाती है, तो उसे पूरी तरह से स्वीकार न करें।)

Detailed Explanation
The idiom “take it with a grain of salt” is often used when someone doubts the credibility of the information they’ve received. It’s a way of suggesting that you shouldn’t always believe what you hear or read, especially if the source is questionable, and instead, you should take it with a bit of skepticism.

This phrase is often used when someone presents information that seems exaggerated, improbable, or not entirely trustworthy. By advising someone to “take it with a grain of salt,” you are suggesting they should not treat it as absolute truth and should be careful before accepting it.

Example Scenario:
Imagine a friend tells you about a new business venture that promises huge returns, but you’re skeptical because it sounds too good to be true. You might say, “Take it with a grain of salt, I’ve heard about similar schemes that didn’t work out well.” Here, you are advising them to approach the idea with caution and not take it at face value.

Example Sentences:
English: “He claims he knows the secret to getting rich fast, but I would take it with a grain of salt.”
Hindi: “वह कहता है कि उसे जल्दी अमीर बनने का राज़ पता है, लेकिन मैं इसे ज्यादा गंभीरता से न लूं।”

Key Takeaways:

• “Take it with a grain of salt” means to view something skeptically and not accept it fully as truth.
• It’s often used when the information seems exaggerated, suspect, or unreliable.
• It suggests the need for critical thinking and careful judgment before believing something.

Origin of the Idiom:
The origin of this idiom dates back to ancient Rome. It comes from the Latin phrase “cum grano salis”, which literally means “with a grain of salt.” One popular explanation is that salt was considered to have magical or curative powers in ancient times, and thus, a grain of salt was meant to temper the effects of something that could be harmful or untrue.

Real-World Examples:

In Conversations:
English: “I heard that they’re planning to change the company policy again, but I’ll take it with a grain of salt until it’s official.”
Hindi: “सुना है कि वे फिर से कंपनी की नीति बदलने जा रहे हैं, लेकिन मैं इसे ज्यादा गंभीरता से न लूं, जब तक यह आधिकारिक न हो।”

In the Media:
English: “The rumors about the celebrity’s marriage are spreading fast, but I’m going to take it with a grain of salt until I see confirmation.”
Hindi: “सेलिब्रिटी की शादी के बारे में अफवाहें तेज़ी से फैल रही हैं, लेकिन मैं इसे ज्यादा गंभीरता से न लूं, जब तक पुष्टि न हो।”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When someone tells you something that seems far-fetched or unlikely.
• When you receive unverified information or rumors that may not be true.
• It’s especially useful when the source of the information is uncertain or unreliable.