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salt idioms

7 Salt Idioms

Salty Sayings: Spice Up Your English!

Did you know that “salt” isn’t just for seasoning your food? It’s also used in many English expressions that add flavor to our conversations. Take a look at these salt expressions and don’t get “salty” if you don’t know some of them 😉

Worth one’s salt

Someone who does their job well.

Any teacher worth their salt knows how to handle difficult students.
If he’s worth his salt as a manager, he’ll resolve the problem quickly.

Salt of the earth

A person who is very kind, honest, and good-hearted.

My grandmother was the salt of the earth; she would help anyone in need.
The volunteers at the shelter are truly the salt of the earth.

Take it with a grain of salt

Not to take something too seriously, not to believe it completely, to be a bit doubtful.

He says he can finish the project in one day, but I’ll take that with a grain of salt.
I heard a rumor about the company, but I’m taking it with a grain of salt until it’s confirmed.

Rub salt in the wound

To make a bad situation worse for someone.

Losing the game was tough, but his criticism afterward rubbed salt in the wound.
She knew she made a mistake, so there was no need to rub salt in the wound by blaming her.

Pour salt on the wound

To add more pain or hurt to an already bad situation (similar to “rub salt in the wound”).

Telling him about the party he wasn’t invited to is just pouring salt on the wound.
She already felt bad about the breakup, and his hurtful comment poured salt on the wound.

Back to the salt mines

To return to hard or boring work, often said jokingly.

The weekend is over, time to get back to the salt mines.
After a long vacation, he’s back to the salt mines at his office job.

Salty

Being upset or annoyed, often in a light or playful way.

She got salty when she lost the game and refused to talk to anyone.
He gets salty every time someone teases him about his cooking skills.

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