To use a different (alternate) approach to solving a problem when the standard approach doesn't work, an approach that is less complicated than improvising.
There was no bell at the hotel front desk, so we alternized by saying "ding, ding" until the clerk came out of the back room.
Someone or something that bites your ankles.
To a postman, an ankle biter is often known as a dog.
To an adult, an ankle bitermay be a toddler.
To hikers, an ankle biter is sometimes a tick.
And so on.