The worst wheel of a cart creaks most.
Meaning: The most damaged or weakest part of any system draws attention and creates problems disproportionate to its size.
Origin: A manuscript of about 1400 already says the worst spoke of the cart creaks, and Aesop's fable of the oxen and the creaking cart makes the same point: the one that does least complains most. Benjamin Franklin printed "The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise" in 1737.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and German
- French: C’est toujours la plus mauvaise roue qui crie (literally: The worst wheel always creaks most)
- Spanish: La peor rueda del carro es la que más chirría (literally: The worst wheel of the cart is the one that squeaks the most)
- German: Das schlechteste Rad am Wagen knarrt am meisten (literally: The worst wheel on the wagon creaks the most)
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- Where are the crumbs there are the chickens. — Traces of consumption reveal where attention and resources naturally congregate.
- Curses are like chickens, they come home to roost. — Malicious words and wishes eventually harm the person who spoke them, returning with cons…
From our compliments & insults
- Sei un fenomeno — You're amazing — exceptionally good at what you do.
- Eres la leche — You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
- Eline sağlık — Praise and thanks to someone — especially a cook — for something made beautifully by hand.