needless to say

Idioms  

1. Very likely or obvious, self-evident, as in Needless to say, the availability of assault weapons is closely connected with crime. Although nonsensical at first glance (if unnecessary to say, why say it?), this phrase is generally used for emphasis. It originated as needless to speak in the early 1500s. Also see go without (saying).

---

Example Sentences

Needless to say, as more channels encrypted their signals, BUD sales withered.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Needless to say, the Tweedy, Browne team believes these companies have been paying high prices to buy back shares.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026

Needless to say, they’re bad news for their stocks—and they’re often overlooked because they follow the most joyous time of the year.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

Needless to say, shaking off 2025 will require quite a bit of verbal blotting.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2025

Needless to say, I was overjoyed when I saw a pay phone next to a wooden bench near the student drop-off area.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson