A creaking gate hangs longest on its hinges.

Signs of wear do not necessarily mean that something is about to give way. A noisy old gate may remain in place for a surprisingly long time.

Applied to people, the proverb suggests that someone who seems frail may nevertheless live or persevere longer than others expect. Its point is the uncertainty of such predictions, not a rule about who lives longest.

Use it as a wry response when a person who has long seemed frail continues to carry on despite expectations to the contrary. Avoid using it where a remark about someone’s health or longevity would feel insensitive.