Outflanking: meaning, definitions and examples

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outflanking

 

[aʊtˈflæŋkɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

military strategy

Outflanking refers to the military maneuver where forces move around a flank of the opposing enemy to gain a tactical advantage. This tactic is often used in battles to encircle or surprise the opponent, thereby forcing them into a disadvantageous position. It can also imply circumventing someone's defenses or strategies in broader contexts, like competition or negotiations.

Synonyms

encircling, flanking, surrounding.

Examples of usage

  • The general devised a plan for outflanking the enemy lines.
  • The team's outflanking move caught their rivals off guard.
  • Outflanking was essential to winning the battle.
  • The soldiers executed an outflanking maneuver successfully.

Interesting Facts

Military Strategy

  • In battles, troops would often move around to surprise their enemy, making it a key tactic in many famous wars.
  • The concept became prominent during World War I, where trench warfare led to innovative maneuvers to gain an advantage.
  • Outflanking is a classic strategy in chess, where a player can move a piece to attack from an unexpected angle.

Sports

  • In soccer, players often try to outflank defenders by using speed and agility to get past them.
  • Outflanking can also occur in strategy games like basketball, where players attempt to position themselves to take an open shot.

Business

  • In negotiations, companies might outflank competitors by presenting better offers or innovative ideas before their rivals can react.
  • Start-ups often try to outflank established companies by finding niche markets that larger firms overlook.

Literature

  • In many adventure stories, characters often outflank their adversaries using clever plans or disguises.
  • Classic espionage novels frequently involve outflanking as spies try to outsmart each other.

Psychology

  • Outflanking can also refer to emotional or psychological tactics where a person gains an advantage by subtly influencing their counterpart’s decisions.
  • In conflicts, people may use outflanking as a means to gain empathy from one side against another.

Translations

Translations of the word "outflanking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desvio

🇮🇳 पक्षाघात

🇩🇪 Umgehung

🇮🇩 melalui

🇺🇦 обхід

🇵🇱 wyprzedzenie

🇯🇵 迂回

🇫🇷 contournement

🇪🇸 desvío

🇹🇷 çevreleme

🇰🇷 우회

🇸🇦 التفافية

🇨🇿 obejití

🇸🇰 obehnutie

🇨🇳 迂回

🇸🇮 obhod

🇮🇸 umferð

🇰🇿 айналма

🇬🇪 დასასრული

🇦🇿 dolaşma

🇲🇽 desvío

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,454, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.