1. to go or move oneself to a place, especially for refuge or safety
Usage: formal; often reflexive

Examples

• The villagers betook themselves to the hills when the army approached.
• She betook herself to her room to think in solitude.
• The travelers betook themselves to the nearest inn for shelter.
• He betook himself to prayer in times of trouble.
• The family betook themselves to their country estate for the summer.
• When danger threatened, the refugees betook themselves to the embassy.