言うに及ばず (needless to say)

The fixed classical phrase 言うに及ばず meaning 'needless to say, let alone, to say nothing of, no need to mention.' Built from 言う ('say') + に + 及ばず ('does not reach, classical negative'). Typically as ~は言うに及ばず, used to dismiss the obvious case before stating the more striking one. Slightly more bookish than 言うまでもなく.