ploy

An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver.

Milit., to move from line into column: the opposite of deploy.

Employment.

A harmless frolic; a merrymaking.

Sport; frolic.

To form a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; — the opposite of deploy.

A tactic, strategy, or gimmick.

To form a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision.

a maneuver in a game or conversation

an opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker