外そと堀ぼりを埋うめる

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.

• 交こう渉しょうに入はいる前まえに、まず外そと堀ぼりを埋うめる必ひつ要ようがある。

  Before entering negotiations, we need to remove the obstacles around it first.

• 彼かれはライバル会社がいしゃの取とり引ひき先さきを次つぎ々つぎと奪うばい、外そと堀ぼりを埋うめていった。

  He steadily took away the rival company's business partners, chipping away at their support.