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Phrase(s): the salt of the earth
Fig. the most worthy of people; a very good or worthy person. (A biblical reference, Matthew 5:13.) • Mrs. Jones is the salt of the earth. She is the first to help anyone in trouble. • Frank’s mother is the salt of the earth. She has five children of her own and yet fosters three others.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs