A ploy is a way of behaving that someone plans carefully and secretly in order to gain an advantage for themselves. Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder, not a cynical marketing ploy. An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver: "A typical ploy is to feign illness, procure medicine, then sell it on the black market" (Jill Smolowe). a clever and dishonest way of tricking someone so that you can get an advantage (Probably from employ)