Definition

1. Noun:

   • (American football) The player who directs the offensive play: In American and Canadian football, the quarterback is the player on offense who lines up behind the center, receives the ball at the start of each play, and is responsible for directing the team's strategy, either by passing, handing off, or running with the ball.
   • (American football) The position played by this player: "Quarterback" also refers to the specific playing position itself, often considered the most important and high-profile role on the team.

2. Verb:

   • To play as the quarterback: To perform the duties of the quarterback position in a game of football.
   • To direct or manage a strategy: By extension, to lead, organize, or manage an operation or activity, similar to how a quarterback directs a football team's offense.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The team's success depends heavily on the skill of its quarterback.
  • He has been the starting quarterback for three seasons.
• Verb:
  • He will quarterback the team in the championship game.
  • She was chosen to quarterback the new marketing initiative.

Advanced Usage

• "To call the plays": A key function of a quarterback is to decide which offensive play to use, often at the line of scrimmage. This concept is used metaphorically for making key decisions.
  • As project manager, she gets to call the plays.
• "Franchise quarterback": A term for a quarterback who is seen as the cornerstone player for a team's long-term success.
  • The team drafted him hoping he would become their franchise quarterback.

Variants and Related Words

• Quarterbacking (n): The action or skill of playing as a quarterback.
  • His quarterbacking improved throughout the season.
• Signal-caller (n): A synonym for quarterback, emphasizing their role in calling and signaling plays.
• QB (n): A common abbreviation for "quarterback."

Synonyms

• Field general: A metaphorical synonym emphasizing the leadership and strategic role.
• Signal-caller: (As above).
• Pilot (verb, metaphorical): To guide or steer a project.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Phrases

• Quarterback sneak: A specific football play where the quarterback immediately runs forward with the ball after receiving it, often for a short gain.
  • They ran a quarterback sneak on third down and got the first yard.
• To be sacked: (In football) To be tackled behind the line of scrimmage while attempting to pass; often happens to the quarterback.
  • The quarterback was sacked three times in the first half.

Related Idioms / Metaphors

• Monday morning quarterback: A person who criticizes or analyzes decisions after the event is over, with the benefit of hindsight. (Derived from people discussing a football game after it has been played).
  • It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback and say they should have passed the ball.
• To quarterback something: Used metaphorically to mean to lead or organize an effort.
  • She will quarterback the fundraising campaign for the new library.

Noun

1. (American football) the position of the football player in the backfield who directs the offensive play of his team
   • quarterback is the most important position on the team
2. (football) the person who plays quarterback

Verb

1. play the quarterback