THEMSELVES


Meaning of THEMSELVES in English

/ ðəmˈselvz; NAmE / pronoun

1.

(the reflexive form of they ) used when people or animals performing an action are also affected by it :

They seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The children were arguing amongst themselves.

They've bought themselves a new car.

2.

used to emphasize they or a plural subject :

They themselves had had a similar experience.

Don and Julie paid for it themselves.

3.

used instead of himself or herself to refer to a person whose sex is not mentioned or not known :

There wasn't anyone who hadn't enjoyed themselves.

HELP NOTE : Although this use of themselves is fairly common, especially in spoken English, many people think it is not correct.

IDIOMS

- (all) by themselves

- (all) to themselves

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.