needless to say

needless to say

Obviously; the following is completely self-evident. Helen has pneumonia, so, needless to say, we're postponing our vacation.

See also: say, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

needless to say

It is so obvious that it doesn't need to be said, but.... Needless to say, I should have spent more time on the report, but I just didn't have it.

See also: say, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

needless to say

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).

See also: say, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ˌneedless to ˈsay

as you would expect: Needless to say, the students who had studied maths before did better in the statistics exam. ♢ He got home from the party at 5 a.m. Needless to say, his parents were furious.

If something is needless, it is not necessary.

See also: say, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

needless to say

Unnecessary to state. This phrase, which always precedes the statement of that very thing which need not be said, originated as “Nedelesse to speke” in the early sixteenth century. See also goes without saying.

See also: say, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer