To say that something goes without saying (or that goes without saying) means that a statement is self-evident, universally accepted, or so obvious that it does not need to be explicitly stated or explained.
While the phrase literally claims a statement is unnecessary, in natural conversation, speakers use it as a transitional tool, an emphatic marker, or even a rhetorical cover for unproven claims.
Strategic Uses of “It Goes Without Saying”
Since this phrase often presents a logical paradox (if it doesn’t need to be said, why say it?), native speakers deploy this phrase for specific rhetorical purposes:
1. Expressing Immediate Agreement or Reassurance
Friends and colleagues frequently use “that goes without saying” as a warm, reassuring response when asked for help or a favor. It communicates that assistance is a given and needs no formal request.
- “Will you help me move this weekend?” | “That goes without saying! Just tell me what time to show up.”
2. Emphasizing Crucial Warnings or Core Truths
Paradoxically, speakers often use the phrase right before stating something that is so vital it must be highlighted. Here, it acts as an attention-grabbing signal rather than a reason to stay quiet.
- “It goes without saying that safety gear must be worn at all times on the construction site.”
3. Smooth Conversational Transition
It serves as a natural transition phrase (similar to obviously or naturally) to establish common ground with an audience before introducing a new or more complex argument.
- “It goes without saying that the internet has revolutionized communication, but it has also created new privacy concerns.”
4. The Rhetorical Shield (Disguising Controversial Claims)
In politics, debate, and advertising, “it goes without saying” is often used to frame a personal opinion or controversial premise as an undisputed fact. By asserting that a statement is “too obvious to debate,” the speaker attempts to discourage listeners from questioning it.
- “It goes without saying that our proposed budget is the only responsible way forward.”
Origin & History: The French Connection and “It Goes”
The expression entered English in the mid-19th century as a direct word-for-word translation (calque) of the French phrase cela va sans dire.
How the Verb “Goes” Functions Here
To understand the phrase grammatically, consider how the verb go functions in expressions like “anything goes” (meaning no rules apply) or “so the rule goes”:
- In this context, goes means to pass, hold true, or proceed smoothly.
- Therefore, for a statement to “go without saying” means it passes as valid and accepted without needing to meet the requirement of being spoken aloud.
By the 1860s and 1870s, British and American newspapers began directly translating cela va sans dire into English. By the turn of the 20th century, “it goes without saying” had become a permanent, naturalized English idiom.
To understand how better how “goes” works in this idiom, consider the “sentinel at the gate” analogy. Imagine a sentinel is guarding a gate, and only let’s certain qualified individuals pass. He says “who goes there” as a way to demand credentials or identity in order to determine if the person should be allowed to pass through. Therefore:
- The Guard’s Test (“Who goes there?”): The guard demands credentials or proof before allowing someone or something to pass.
- Passing the Test (“It goes”): If something is accepted, validated, or meets the required standard, it gets permission to pass: it “goes.”
- Skipping the Test (“Goes without saying”): A statement that “goes without saying” is so self-evident that it gets a free pass through the gate. It doesn’t even need to stop, show credentials, or be subjected to the “test” of explicit verbal utterance, it automatically passes as true.
Sentence Examples
“It goes without saying that we will have to work overtime to finish this project before the deadline.”
“Do you think she’ll get the promotion?” | “That goes without saying. She’s been running the department single-handedly.”
“It goes without saying that you should never share your passwords over public Wi-Fi.”
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Similar and Related Expressions
- Needless to Say: An exact synonym used as an introductory clause (“Needless to say, we were thrilled with the results”).
- Self-Evident: Something that is obvious and clear without needing proof or explanation.
- It Stands to Reason: It is logical or sensible to conclude.
- By Definition: Something is automatically true, either because of the literal meaning of a word or because of the fundamental, inescapable nature of a concept.