end around
Football misdirection play
An end around is a football play where a receiver runs behind the line of scrimmage to take a handoff, then sweeps around the opposite end of the formation.
The phrase extends to any maneuver that bypasses normal channels or avoids direct confrontation: They did an end around on the committee by going straight to the board.
The figurative sense emphasizes circumvention rather than direct challenge.
- play actionFootball fake-handoff tactic
- trick playUnorthodox athletic deception
- reverseTurn to opposite
- sweepBrush clean with broom
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
football · flanker · running back · ball carrier · quarterback · handoff · deception · loophole · red tape · workaround · bypass · sidestep · evasion · runaround · dodge · sneak · fake · lateral
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, goal
- football playsplay-action pass, slant, counter, draw, sweep
- sports tacticszone defense, pick, formations, game plan, spacing
- Risky Playshail mary, fake punt, onside kick, trick play, flea flicker
end arounddirect approach
Unsubtle, frontal method
head-on · frontal assault · direct attack · straight shot · blunt force
end aroundby the book
Following established procedures exactly
standard procedure · chain of command · due process · above board
end, around, ends, ended, ending, endings, ender, endless, endlessly