the first turn of the screw pays all debts

== English == === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /θə‿fɚɹst‿tɚn‿ʌv‿θə‿skɹu‿peɪ̯z‿ɑl‿dɛts/ === Proverb === the first turn of the screw pays all debts (nautical) One's problems on shore may be forgotten at the first turn of one's ship's propeller.