flank attack; flanking maneuver
Military term for attacking the side of an enemy formation or position.
The unit was thrown into confusion by the enemy's flank attack.
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.
Negotiations were stalled, so as an indirect approach we reached out to the other party's business partners.