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).

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

needless to say

This inspires a funny magic bit set in a fantasy DMV office—much preferable to a real one, needless to say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

"This is, needless to say, very good news for the direct benefit of citizens, both... in the EU and in Switzerland."

From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026

Determining the points at which past Fed chairs became lame ducks is not an exact science, needless to say.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 19, 2026

And that, needless to say, will come with Flick at the helm.

From BBC ● May 15, 2025

Rachel doesn’t think much of termites, needless to say, and insists that the word has some other, higher meaning.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver