expression, ichidan verb
remove obstacles in the way of one's objective; take an indirect approach
Idiomatic expression. Literally 'to fill in the outer moat', used figuratively for systematically eliminating peripheral obstacles or taking indirect steps to achieve a goal. Often used in business, negotiation, or strategic contexts.
交渉に入る前に、まず外堀を埋める必要がある。
Before entering negotiations, we need to remove the obstacles around it first.
彼はライバル会社の取引先を次々と奪い、外堀を埋めていった。
He steadily took away the rival company's business partners, chipping away at their support.