phrase

lo and behold

loh and bih-HOHLD

Lo and behold (phrase) means 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. Example: “I searched for an hour and, lo and behold, the keys were in my coat pocket.”

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.

"I searched for an hour and, lo and behold, the keys were in my coat pocket."

"He promised he would be on time and, lo and behold, he was forty minutes late."

How to Use Lo and behold

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA jokey way of saying "and there it was".

When to use it

Informal and slightly theatrical. It sounds archaic if used sincerely, so modern speakers almost always use it with a wink.

Memory tip

The first word is lo, not low. Low and behold is a very common misspelling and makes no sense, since lo is the old word for look.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

lo and behold → low and behold lo! →

Common pairings

and lo and behold then lo and behold lo and behold, there it was

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I searched for an hour and, _____, the keys were in my coat pocket.

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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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

Rhymes for lo and behold

behold freehold household stranglehold

See all rhymes for 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.