The Village Idiom

needless to say

The idiom needless to say is used to emphasize that something is so obvious or self-evident that it doesn't even need to be mentioned.

Filed under N

In a sentence

  • Needless to say, she was thrilled when she found out she got the job.
  • I was so tired after hiking all day, needless to say, I slept like a log.
  • He spent hours preparing for the presentation, needless to say, it went very well.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "needless to say" is often used in the English language to emphasize the self-evident nature of a statement. It is an expression that indicates something is so obvious or well-known that it does not need to be explicitly stated. This idiom is commonly employed in both spoken and written communication, making it a versatile tool for clarifying or reinforcing a point without explicitly stating the obvious.

A third related idiom is "matter of course." This expression is used to describe something that is considered standard or expected. It implies that a specific action or outcome is a natural consequence of a given situation and requires no further explanation. This idiom aligns with the idea behind "needless to say" as it emphasizes the self-evident nature of a statement. For example, if someone is discussing their long-term relationship, they might mention that over time, their communication has become a matter of course.

The idiom "needless to say" is commonly used to emphasize the self-evident nature of a statement. It is frequently employed in both spoken and written communication, often in formal or academic contexts. This versatile phrase, along with related idioms such as "go without saying," "say no more," and "matter of course," allows for efficient and effective expression of self-evident ideas without repetition or unnecessary explanation. Its simplicity and universal acceptance make it a valuable tool in the communication toolbox for English speakers worldwide.

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