A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

cradle see the HAND that rocks the cradle rules the world.

A CREAKING door hangs longest

Usually said consolingly about, by, or to the infirm, though sometimes implying that a
weak or faulty thing continues to be a nuisance the longest. Gate sometimes replaces door.

1776 T. COGAN John Buncle, Junior I. vi. They say a creaking gate goes the longest

upon its hinges; that’s my comfort. 1888 F. HUME Madame Midas II. ii. It is said that

‘creaking doors hang the longest’. Mrs. Pulchop.. was an excellent illustration of the truth

of this saying. 1944 A. CHRISTIE Towards Zero 62 But it seems I am one of these

creaking gates—these perpetual invalids who never die. 1970 L. DEIGHTON Bomber vi.

The Flight Engineer said, ‘A creaking door hangs longest.’ Digby christened her [an

aeroplane] ‘Creaking Door’. 1985 J. MORTIMER Paradise Postponed viii. I’ll probably

last like this another thirty years. I’ll be a creaking gate.. and they goes on swinging

forever. mortality; old age

cream see there are more WAYS of killing a cat than choking it with cream.

Give CREDIT where credit is due

The older form with honour (principally in the sense ‘obeisance, homage’) is now rare. Cf.
ROMANS xiii. 7 (Reims) Render therefore to all men their due:..to whom honour, honour.

1777 S. ADAMS Letter 29 Oct. in Collections of Massachusetts Hist. Society (1917)

LXXII. 375 May Honor be given to whom Honor may be due. 1834 M. FLOY Diary 17

Jan. (1941) 50 Loudon must be a man of taste.. and disposed to give all credit where any

credit is due. 1894 Girl’s Own Paper 6 Jan. 228 The justice and magnanimity which

would show ‘honour to whom honour is due’.. is not always found equal to the occasion

when it involves the granting of a degree. 1968 M. WOODHOUSE Rock Baby xxii. You

aren’t half as daft as I thought. .. Credit where credit’s due. 1976 T. SHARPE Wilt viii.

‘Some maniac. .. ‘ ‘Come now, give credit where credit is due,’ interrupted Dr. Board.

2002 Washington Post 1 Jan. C14 Express your gratitude. Give credit when it’s due—and

even when it isn’t. fair dealing; just deserts

CRIME doesn’t pay