quarterbacked
Called the plays
Quarterbacked is the past tense of quarterback, meaning to play the quarterback position in American football—the player who directs offensive plays and throws passes.
More commonly, it means to lead or coordinate an effort: She quarterbacked the merger negotiations.
The figurative sense emphasizes strategic direction rather than just participation.
Deliberately arranged complex elements
- coordinatedArranged to work together
- managedOversaw or coped
- directedGave guidance or orders
- spearheadedLed an initiative
captained · headed · helmed · steered · guided · piloted · oversaw · supervised
Controlled or overpowered
- ranMoved swiftly, past tense
- droveOperated a vehicle
- dictatedImposed without discussion
- directedGave guidance or orders
regulated · governed · handled · operated · managed · influence · commanded · took charge
Decided on beforehand
- schemedCrafted underhanded plans
- devisedPlanned or invented
- engineeredDesigned with technical precision
- mastermindedPlanned and directed cleverly
architected · designed · plotted · mapped · blueprinted · gameplan · maneuvered · calculated
orchestrated
Deliberately arranged complex elements
- coordinatedArranged to work together
- managedOversaw or coped
- directedGave guidance or orders
spearheaded · captained · headed · helmed · steered · guided · piloted · oversaw · supervised · conducted
dominated
Controlled or overpowered
directed · regulated · governed · handled · operated · managed · influence · commanded · took charge · took the reins
planned
Decided on beforehand
- schemedCrafted underhanded plans
- devisedPlanned or invented
- engineeredDesigned with technical precision
masterminded · architected · designed · plotted · mapped · blueprinted · gameplan · maneuvered · calculated · positioned
- Monday-morning quarterbackOne who criticizes past decisions
- armchair quarterbacksPeople who criticize from safety
- Monday morning quarterbackOne who critiques past choices
- Monday-morning quarterbackingCritiquing decisions with hindsight
- backup quarterbackSecond-choice field general
- quarterback sneakPasser rushes behind center