state the obvious
Voice evident truths
To state the obvious is to say something that everyone already knows or can plainly see, often to the point of being unnecessary or redundant.
The phrase usually carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting the speaker is wasting breath on information that needs no explanation.
Not to state the obvious, but we're going to need more than three people to move a piano.
Sometimes people preface remarks this way as a rhetorical softener before making a point that bears repeating anyway.
- point outDirect attention toward
- no kiddingExpression of genuine surprise
- observePerceive with attention
- remarkSpoken comment or note
- goes without sayingUnderstood without articulation
deadpan · understatement · sarcasm · notice · redundancy · exaggeration · belabor · beating a dead horse · clarify · articulate · recognition · tautology · self-evident · water is wet · oversimplify · irony · awareness · wit
state the obviousdrop a bombshell
Announce startling information unexpectedly
break the news · disclose · unveil · enlighten · spill the beans
state, states, stated, stating, statement, statements, stately, stateless, statehood