quarterback
Loading your saved state.
quarterback
The central playmaking position in American football or Canadian football, who directs the team's offensive plays.
Der Quarterback warf in letzter Sekunde einen perfekten Pass zum Touchdown.
The quarterback threw a perfect pass for a touchdown at the last second.
quarterback
In a figurative sense, the person who leads a project, team, or undertaking and makes the strategic decisions.
Als Projektleiter ist er quasi der Quarterback für die gesamte Softwareentwicklung.
As project manager, he is basically the quarterback for the entire software development.
'Quarterback' is a word borrowed directly from English and refers to the playmaker position in American football. It is also pronounced this way in German.
Jeder Fan von American Football kennt den Namen des berühmten Quarterbacks.
Every fan of American football knows the name of the famous quarterback.
The context makes clear whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended. If people are talking about sports, it is the player. If they are talking about projects or companies, it is the strategic leader.
Der Quarterback führte sein Team zum Sieg im Super Bowl.
The quarterback led his team to victory in the Super Bowl.
The metaphor works because the quarterback in football calls the plays and leads the team. In the figurative meaning, it therefore refers to a person who takes on a similar strategic leadership role in another area.
Als Gründer des Start-ups war er von Anfang an der Quarterback.
As the founder of the start-up, he was the quarterback from the very beginning.
