It goes without saying
Meaning
This phrase is used to indicate that something is so obvious or clearly understood that it does not need to be explicitly stated.
Origin
“It goes without saying” elegantly encapsulates something so utterly obvious, it's almost redundant to voice it. While its direct English form became widely popular in the 19th century, its true intellectual lineage stretches back further, most notably to the French phrase “cela va sans dire”—which literally translates to “that goes without saying.” The inherent logic and concise elegance of this French idiom proved irresistible to English speakers, who readily adopted and adapted it. This direct translation smoothly integrated into the English lexicon, becoming a sophisticated yet common way to acknowledge shared understanding, allowing conversations to flow seamlessly past the truly self-evident, thus sparing everyone the bore of stating the glaringly apparent.
Examples
- Of course you're invited to the wedding; it goes without saying that you're one of my closest friends.
- When you're applying for the job, your qualifications are important, but it goes without saying that a good attitude is equally vital.