It goes without saying

Does anything really need any saying if it can go on its own? But phrases – big and small, needed and not needed, wordy and slim, exist because people like to tell things differently, sometimes putting more emphasis in order to prove a point. That’s fine and that’s the case with the transitional phrase ” it goes without saying”.

What does it goes without saying mean

The meaning of “goes without saying” or “it goes without saying” is that something is so apparent and obvious that it does not need a say. A sentence populated with this phrase becomes a long sentence, unnecessarily stretchy and it takes up more time and effort in saying. Like look at this below-mentioned sentence –

Original – “It goes without saying that travelers must show their IDs at the airport checkpoint in order to travel”

Now, let’s rework on the sentence by removing the wordy phrase “it goes without saying”

Reworked – “Travelers must show their IDs at the airport checkpoint”

So, what we now have is a small, simple, easy to understood sentence. And travelers can use the saved time in preparing for other things, like looking at the airport architecture. 🙂

Okay, I hope you understood the point. Sometimes the sentence is good and it works in your defense if you want to emphasize something very precisely. But if you love time saving, clear and simpler way of telling things, why not trim it down in half or fold it under a striking sentence instead?

That does not diminish the value of our phrase in question. People used it, they still use it and it will stay!

Use “it goes without saying” when you need to, like to add a transitional value in your sentence, to make a longer point; in some cases to agree on something.

Alex – Let’s plan for a Friday night, I’m tired of my stretchy work schedule.

Robi – “Goes without saying”. I feel you.

Photo by Juliette Félix on Unsplash

It goes without saying synonym

• Obvious
• Apparent
• Sure
• Definitely
• True  

“Needs no explanation” may also mean nearly the same thing “goes without saying” does. Exceptions exist.

Meanwhile, MS Word spell and grammar checker looks at me with doubt and uses a green, wavy underline to suggest “is understood” as a better alternative to our phrase. Okay, it’s good. Thanks!

Examples of “it goes without saying”

It goes without saying that I’m sorry I offended you

Its use in publications –

It goes without saying that in order to make donuts, a donut cutter will be essential

(CNN, September 4, 2020)

It goes without saying that in the last decade, the Kardashian-Jenners have heralded a new standard for global fame birthed out of reality TV.

(Firstpost, September 16, 2020)

Conclusion – when to use the phase

If something goes without having to say it, why say it in the first place? Let it go, and make an impact without uttering a word. Silent revolutions that bring positive change is nice. But then expressing same things differently, accommodating the need of the situation, is why we have languages. Right?

What do you say? It goes without saying that it goes without saying can be trimmed down but why trim it if it helps make your point powerful?