lo and behold

4 synonyms for lo and behold, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

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.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

surprisingly enough would you believe it sure enough wouldn't you know it

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.

Nearby words

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