落水狗上岸

luòshuǐgǒushàngàn
like a dog who fell in the river and climbs out—shaking all over

CEDICT

（歇后语）穷抖。落入水中的狗，上岸后会抖动身体，甩去身上的水。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 落水 luòshuǐ
  1. to fall into water
  2. to sink
  3. overboard
  4. fig. to degenerate
  5. to sink (into depravity)
  6. to go to the dogs
2 狗 gǒu dog

classifiers: 隻, 條
3 上岸 shàngàn
  1. to go ashore; to climb ashore
  2. (fig.) to achieve a stable and secure life after a period of struggle (e.g. to get a government job, be admitted to a desirable university, or finally pay off one's debts)