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Lo and behold vs. Low and behold
Lo and behold
/loʊ ənd bɪˈhoʊld/Examples:
Lo and behold, the solution was simpler than expected.I opened the box and, lo and behold, there was the missing key.We arrived at the venue and, lo and behold, the concert was cancelled.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonymsLow and behold
/loʊ ænd bɪˈhoʊld/Examples:
Lo and behold, the missing keys were under the couch.He opened the box, and lo and behold, it was full of treasure.She looked out the window, and lo and behold, it had stopped raining.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Lo is a short form of look used in archaic and literary contexts, usually paired with behold to draw attention to a surprising or noteworthy event.
- Low and behold is a mistaken version, where low seems like a homophone for lo, but it doesn't have the historical context or meaning.
- Remember that lo and behold captures an old-fashioned, dramatic moment of revelation or surprise.
- When thinking of lo, refer to it as a cue to pay attention to something significant.
- Avoid using low and behold as it's incorrect and may cause confusion.
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