Take something with a pinch of salt直译是‘和一撮盐吃下去’,意译则是‘姑且听着,不能尽信’.盐在这怎么会有‘疑惑’意思呢?原来淡而寡味、人们不爱吃的东西,加一点调味的盐,会比较容易下咽；同样,难以教人相信的事,用一些动听言词说出来,人家往往也会有戒心,不敢尽信.所以,take something with a pinch of salt这句话含有疑惑意味,例如：
I took his explanation with a pinch of salt; I knew he was not a particularly honest man.（我听了他的解释,将信将疑；我知道他这个人不大老实.）