noun
flank attack; flanking maneuver
Military term for attacking the side of an enemy formation or position.
敵の側面攻撃で部隊は混乱した。
The unit was thrown into confusion by the enemy's flank attack.
noun
indirect approach; tackling a problem from another angle
Figurative use: dealing with an issue not head-on but by approaching it from a different perspective or through a related aspect.
交渉が難航したので、側面攻撃として相手の取引先に働きかけた。
Negotiations were stalled, so as an indirect approach we reached out to the other party's business partners.