res ipsa loquitur

From the Latin phrase rēs ipsa loquitur (“the thing speaks for itself”).

res ipsa loquitur

1. The import of a thing or situation is obvious.
2. (law) A maxim where the very improbable facts of an accident imply the negligence of the defendant. It effectively shifts the burden of proof to the defendant.

• (import is obvious): clear cut, cut and dried, open and shut, open and shut case

• prima facie

• rēs loquitur ipsa ()

From rēs (“thing”) + ipsa (“herself”), the feminine of ipse (“himself”) because rēs is a feminine word + loquitur (“she speaks”) the third-person form of loquor (“I speak”). Literally meaning "the thing itself speaks" or "the matter itself speaks".

rēs ipsa loquitur

1. the thing speaks for itself