2

Is there a British or general English (as opposed to Americanism) equivalent for "Monday morning quarterback" that describes someone who acts as if they had known the result of something all along. Or someone who criticizes something after the fact.

She is playing a Monday morning quarterback and acting as if she had seen it coming.

or

He always plays the Monday morning quarterback and tells us what we should have done.

11
  • The saying "Hindsight is 20-20" comes to mind, although that doesn't refer to a person specifically. Sep 14, 2020 at 6:04
  • 3
  • 3
    @EdwinAshworth, Just because there's a duplicate, doesn't mean the question and answer here deserve downvotes. Sep 14, 2020 at 10:49
  • 1
    @Decapitated Soul Exactly the same answers (and 'Monday morning quarterback') are given there. The downvotes are to discourage lack of checking, and to encourage deletion/closure here. Are you saying that duplication is useful? Why do you think the 'duplicate' close-vote exists. And if you're so bothered about (your reading of adhering to) site protocol, why haven't you added a close-vote? Sep 14, 2020 at 10:54
  • 1
    @RiversMcForge - "Twenty-twenty hindsight" will have a whole new meaning come January first!
    – Hot Licks
    Sep 14, 2020 at 11:50

1 Answer 1

1

Be wise after the event:

used to mean that it us easy to understand what you could have done to prevent something bad from happening after it has happened.

(Cambridge Dictionary)

The expressions derived from former popular proverbs:

... the three following historical variants of a proverb of prudence: “it is good to be wise before the mischief” (1584) “after the business is over every one is wise”, (1666) and “it is easy to be wise after the event” (1900) with the latter form having become today’s standard from 1935.

Proverbs, a Handbook by Wolfgang Mieder

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.