taken "with a grain of salt"

[jutfrank]

That's right, yes. .

 

[GoldfishLord]

1. Yes.
2. I don't think so.
3. Yes, with an explanation. (See below.)

It's normally not meant literally. That's what you don't seem to understand. If I would say you should take something with a grain of salt that would mean you should be skeptical about that-- that you should not be too quick to believe it (whatever it happens to be).

Tarheel doesn't respond.
Does "yes, with an explanation" mean "yes, and there is an explanation below" or does it mean 'yes, "be taken with a grain of salt" means "be understood along with a very small quantity of sodium chloride" as long as you consider a clarifying explanation'?

 

[jutfrank]

I'm not sure what Tarheel meant. I think he was just pointing out that there are two meanings—the literal one and the figurative one.

Anyway, the answer to your question 3. is no, because you mixed up the two meanings. You can't understand something with salt, obviously.

 

[GoldfishLord]

Tarheel, what do you mean by "yes, with an explanation"?
I might visit your home to ask you about the meaning of it. (Just kidding.)