rough patch
A difficult or embattling period of one's life.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Every relationship goes through a rough patch sometimes.”
“My business is going through a rough patch, but I am confident that things will improve soon.”
“Although their marriage hit a particularly rough patch during the winter, they worked together to rebuild their trust and eventually emerged stronger than before.”
- 01
cut up rough
To become angry; to make a fuss.
- 02
have a rough time of it
To have many problems; to have a difficult time.
- 03
patch up
To repair by adding a patch.
- 04
pea patch
A baseball field.
- 05
rough and ready
Crude or unpolished, but still fit for use; good enough.
- 06
rough around the edges
In need of refinement; unsophisticated.
- 07
rough justice
Treatment or punishment that is not considered fair or in accordance with the law.
- 08
rough out
To produce (a plan, diagram etc.) in rough.
Last updated August 10, 2026