the first turn of the screw pays all debts /θə‿fɚɹst‿tɚn‿ʌv‿θə‿skɹu‿peɪ̯z‿ɑl‿dɛts/ saying1 •One's problems on shore may be forgotten at the first turn of one's ship's propeller.On the one hand was Martyn's dictum that the 'first turn of the screw pays all debts' — 1943
