mindmap root((求助)) resort may imply that one has encountered difficulties impossible to surmount without help: found he could get no relief unless he ~ed to the courts. refer suggests a need for authentic information or authoritative action and recourse to a source of this: whenever you come to an unfamiliar word, ~ to your dictionary. apply suggests having direct recourse, as by a letter or in person, to one able to supply what is needed: ~ to a bank for a loan. go, turn are more general but often more picturesque and dramatic terms that suggest action or movement in seeking aid or relief: the president ~ directly to the people with the his plan; ~ed to his mother for comfort.