How do you use "Monday morning quarterback" in a sentence?

It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback. Don't be a Monday morning quarterback—you weren't there. Everyone's a Monday morning quarterback.

Monday morning quarterback

Q: What does "Monday morning quarterback" mean?

Someone who criticizes decisions after the fact. From American football—someone who criticizes the quarterback's decisions after watching the game on Monday (games are played Sunday). A hindsight critic.

Slang Term American ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: Someone who criticizes decisions after the fact.

事后诸葛亮，马后炮。

Alguien que critica las decisiones después de los hechos.

後になって批判する人、後知恵で批判する人。

일이 끝난 후에 비판하는 사람, 뒷북치는 사람.

From American football—someone who criticizes the quarterback's decisions after watching the game on Monday (games are played Sunday). A hindsight critic.

源自美式足球——周日比赛后周一才批评四分卫决策的人。指那些事后才批评的人。

Del fútbol americano—alguien que critica las decisiones del quarterback después de ver el partido el lunes (los partidos son el domingo). Un crítico con ventaja del tiempo.

アメリカンフットボール由来の表現。日曜日の試合を見た後、月曜日にクォーターバックの判断を批判する人。後知恵で批判する人のこと。

미식축구에서 유래—일요일 경기를 보고 월요일 아침에 쿼터백의 판단을 비판하는 사람. 사후에 이러쿵저러쿵하는 사람을 가리킨다.

Literal meaning: Person critiquing football decisions after the game

Examples

It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback.
事后诸葛亮很容易
Es fácil criticar después de los hechos
後から批判するのは簡単だ
나중에 비판하는 건 쉽지.
Don't be a Monday morning quarterback—you weren't there.
别当事后诸葛亮——你当时不在场
No critiques a posteriori, tú no estabas allí
後知恵で批判するな、あなたはその場にいなかったでしょ
뒷북치지 마—너는 그 자리에 없었잖아.
Everyone's a Monday morning quarterback.
人人都是事后诸葛亮
Todos son expertos después de los hechos
誰でも後からなら批判できる
누구나 나중에는 비판할 수 있다.

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌndeɪ ˈmɔːnɪŋ ˈkwɔːtəbæk/

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, hindsight, armchair experts

Tone: dismissive, critical

✓ Do Say

Monday morning quarterback.
事后诸葛亮
Un estratega de sofá
後出しで批判する人だ
뒷북치는 사람.
Easy to Monday morning quarterback.
事后说风凉话很容易
Es fácil criticar después de los hechos
後から批判するのは簡単だ
뒷북치는 건 쉽다.
Don't be a Monday morning quarterback.
别当事后诸葛亮
No seas un estratega de sofá
後知恵で批判するなよ
뒷북치지 마.

✗ Don't Say

Hindsight critic
Hindsight critic（事后批评家）
Hindsight critic（crítico con ventaja del tiempo）
Hindsight critic（後知恵の批判者）
사후 비판가
Armchair expert
Armchair expert（纸上谈兵的专家）
Armchair expert（experto de sillón）
Armchair expert（口だけの専門家）
탁상공론가

Common Mistakes

Very American expression
British equivalent might be 'armchair expert'

Origin & History

From American football—critiquing Sunday's game on Monday morning.

Etymology: American football slang, mid 20th century

First recorded: 1930s

Cultural Context

Era: 1930s to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: American football; American politics

Regional notes: American football term—British equivalent is 'armchair expert.'

Variations

Monday morning quarterbackMonday morning quarterbacking