/ 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.
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IDIOMS
- (all) by themselves
- (all) to themselves