You have to get your way by more subtle means.
To be sure, there are more subtle means of doing so than coming right out and telling the buyer to bid low.
But the connection between the two is established by subtle means.
It is that those who believe in free trade can be promoted by subtle means.
A subtle means to an end but sometimes a more potent weapon than it first appears.
"But now companies are far more explicit about using it as a subtle means of manipulation."
Rather, they must be instilled in the public mind by more subtle means.
"You have no idea what the word subtle means, do you?"
"It seems I must use subtle means, or none at all."
All are concerned with the subtle means by which individuals can be manipulated.