quarterback
quarterback — noun
1. the player on an American football team who stands directly behind the center ju
the player on an American football team who stands directly behind the center just before each offensive play begins and decides whether to throw the ball, carry it forward, or give it to a teammate, guiding the team's progress toward the opponent's goal
Eli spotted the blitz and changed the play, then fired a pass between two defenders for a touchdown.
quarterback reads defense, adjusts play, and delivers a pass
The team's new quarterback studies defensive formations before every play.
collocation: studies defensive formations
After the injury, their backup quarterback led the offense to two quick touchdowns.
Vinícius spent hours watching game footage to prepare for his role as quarterback.
The quarterback scanned the defense, called an audible, and handed the ball off to the running back.
- signal caller
informal synonym; emphasizes the QB's role in calling plays at the line of scrimmage
- field general
informal, metaphorical; highlights leadership and strategic control on the field
- passer
narrower term focusing only on the throwing aspect; not all QBs are primarily passers
用法筆記
This term is used almost exclusively in American football. Outside North America, the sport itself is often called 'American football' to avoid confusion with soccer.
quarterback — verb
1. to lead a team's offensive plays during an American football game, choosing the
to lead a team's offensive plays during an American football game, choosing the strategy, calling signals, and directing teammates where to line up and move on the field
Lukas quarterbacks the offense with calm confidence, adjusting plays at the line.
quarterback + the offense — typical transitive object
During practice the coach let the veteran player quarterback the second-team offense.
Mayumi quarterbacks the passing plays with a series of hand signals before each snap.
Kian quarterbacks the varsity offense by reading the defense and calling the right protection schemes.
文法句型
quarterback + noun phrase (the offense / the team / the drive)
用法筆記
Frequently used in sports journalism and coaching contexts. The object is typically a team unit (offense, team, drive) rather than an individual player.
2. to take charge of planning and directing an activity, project, or group, especia
to take charge of planning and directing an activity, project, or group, especially by making the most important decisions and coordinating everyone involved
Saira quarterbacks the annual charity event, coordinating dozens of volunteers.
figurative: quarterback + event / project
Obi quarterbacks the marketing campaign from the initial idea through the final launch.
Eve quarterbacks the software development team and makes sure every deadline is met.
Jessica quarterbacks the family reunion every summer, booking the venue and organizing the meals.
- orchestrate
similar in suggesting coordination of multiple parts; slightly more formal and artistic in tone
- coordinate
less authoritative; focuses on logistics rather than decision-making leadership
- lead
broader and more neutral; does not carry the same hands-on, tactical connotation
- follow
the opposite of leading or directing
文法句型
quarterback + noun phrase (a project / an event / a campaign)
用法筆記
This figurative sense is informal and more common in business or organizational contexts. The sports metaphor is still active — using 'quarterback' suggests a hands-on, decision-making leadership role rather than just oversight.
常見錯誤
3. to play as a quarterback in a game of American football, taking that specific po
to play as a quarterback in a game of American football, taking that specific position on the field
Minho has quarterbacked for the same college team for three seasons, starting every game.
intransitive: quarterback + for + team
Abigail wants to quarterback at the professional level after setting school passing records in college.
Before his injury, Tariq quarterbacked for the state champions and threw for over 3,000 yards that season.
The freshman quarterbacked for the junior varsity squad all fall and improved his reads each week.
- play quarterback
periphrastic equivalent; more common in everyday speech
文法句型
quarterback + for + team
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: this sense simply means occupying the position ('he quarterbacks for the team'), while sense 1 emphasizes directing plays. In practice, both actions happen together, but the grammatical patterns differ — sense 3 is intransitive (quarterback for a team), sense 1 is transitive (quarterback the offense).