quarterback
quarterback — 名詞
1. the player on an American football team who stands directly behind the center ju
四分衛
美式足球中負責組織進攻的球員
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.
Eli 識破對方突襲，改變了戰術，然後將球精準穿過兩名防守球員傳進達陣區。
quarterback reads defense, adjusts play, and delivers a pass
The team's new quarterback studies defensive formations before every play.
球隊的新四分衛在每次進攻前都會仔細研究對手的防守陣型。
collocation: studies defensive formations
After the injury, their backup quarterback led the offense to two quick touchdowns.
主力受傷後，替補四分衛帶領進攻組迅速拿下兩次達陣。
Vinícius spent hours watching game footage to prepare for his role as quarterback.
Vinícius 花了許多時間觀看比賽影片，為擔任四分衛做好準備。
The quarterback scanned the defense, called an audible, and handed the ball off to the running back.
四分衛掃視對方防守陣容，喊出戰術變更，然後將球遞給跑鋒。
- 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 — 動詞
1. to lead a team's offensive plays during an American football game, choosing the
指揮進攻
在場上領導進攻戰術
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.
Lukas 沉穩自信地指揮進攻，在爭球線前調整戰術。
quarterback + the offense — typical transitive object
During practice the coach let the veteran player quarterback the second-team offense.
練習時，教練讓那位資深球員負責指揮二軍的進攻。
Mayumi quarterbacks the passing plays with a series of hand signals before each snap.
Mayumi 在每次開球前用手勢信號來指揮傳球戰術。
Kian quarterbacks the varsity offense by reading the defense and calling the right protection schemes.
Kian 藉由解讀防守陣容並呼叫正確的保護戰術來指揮校隊的進攻。
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
主導；統籌
主導策劃或管理某項活動
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.
Saira 主導年度慈善活動的籌劃，協調數十名志工。
figurative: quarterback + event / project
Obi quarterbacks the marketing campaign from the initial idea through the final launch.
Obi 從最初的概念到最終上市，全程主導整個行銷活動。
Eve quarterbacks the software development team and makes sure every deadline is met.
Eve 統籌軟體開發團隊的工作，確保每個截止日期都能如期完成。
Jessica quarterbacks the family reunion every summer, booking the venue and organizing the meals.
Jessica 每年夏天負責統籌家庭聚會，預訂場地並安排餐點。
- 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
擔任四分衛
上場擔任四分衛一職
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.
Minho 已經為同一支大學隊擔任了三個賽季的四分衛，而且每場比賽都先發上場。
intransitive: quarterback + for + team
Abigail wants to quarterback at the professional level after setting school passing records in college.
Abigail 在大學創下校史傳球紀錄之後，希望能到職業層級擔任四分衛。
Before his injury, Tariq quarterbacked for the state champions and threw for over 3,000 yards that season.
在受傷之前，Tariq 為州冠軍球隊擔任四分衛，該季傳球累積超過三千碼。
The freshman quarterbacked for the junior varsity squad all fall and improved his reads each week.
那位大一新生整個秋季都為校隊二軍擔任四分衛，每週的防守判讀能力都在進步。
- 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).