a way/bypass to get around an obstacle/problem
a way to stretch/bend the rule
「变通」这个词其实是「穷则变,变则通 (语出《易经》)」这个说法精简而来的。The phrase 变通 is actually reduced from a longer version from I-ching: 穷则变,变则通.
这边的「穷」不是没钱的意思,是「没有出路或办法」的意思。
The 穷 here doesn't mean "poor", as in poverty. It means "without a way out".
所以这句话是在说「没有办法就变化,变化之后就有通路了」。「变通」就是「变则通」的删减版本,所以「变通之道」就是变通的方法。
So the whole thing means "When there isn't a way out, make a change. Making a change will get you a way out." And 变通 is just a shorter version of 变则通. Hence, 变通之道 is a way to finding a way out.
例句:
想吃顿好饭,又不想花太多钱,有什么变通之道?I want to have a decent meal but don't want to spend much; is there any roundabout way to achieve that?
经济不景气让许多企业苦思变通之道。Slow economy leaves many business struggling to find out a way to survive.