lo and behold
What is the opposite of lo and behold? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.
Phrase — Used before announcing something surprising, or something that turned out exactly as you predicted. It is usually said with a note of humour or mild sarcasm.
How to use lo and behold
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
and lo and behold
then lo and behold
lo and behold, there it was
Informal and slightly theatrical. It sounds archaic if used sincerely, so modern speakers almost always use it with a wink.
Etymology
Lo is an old interjection meaning look, from Old English la, and behold is the verb meaning to look at. The pair is a doubled command to look, preserved as a set phrase long after lo dropped out of ordinary speech.
Full origin of lo and behold →Frequently asked questions
Is it "lo and behold" or "low and behold"?
Lo and behold is correct. Lo is an archaic interjection meaning look, so the phrase is two ways of saying look at that. Low and behold is a mishearing and has no meaning.
Is lo and behold sarcastic?
Often, yes. It is regularly used to introduce an outcome that was entirely predictable, which turns the mock surprise into a joke. It can still be used sincerely for a genuine surprise.
