go through a rough patch

Meaning

This expression refers to experiencing a temporary period of difficulty, hardship, or struggle, particularly in a relationship, marriage, or personal life. It implies that the problems are challenging but likely temporary. The tone is empathetic, realistic, and supportive.

Examples

• Every marriage goes through a rough patch now and then, but they managed to work things out.

  Every marriage goes through a rough patch now and then, but they managed to work things out.

• Our company is going through a rough patch financially, but we expect things to pick up next quarter.

  Our company is going through a rough patch financially, but we expect things to pick up next quarter.

• After they moved to a new city, their relationship went through a rough patch.

  After they moved to a new city, their relationship went through a rough patch.

• I'm just going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment, so I appreciate your patience.

  I'm just going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment, so I appreciate your patience.

• They had to seek counseling when they went through a rough patch last year.

  They had to seek counseling when they went through a rough patch last year.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Their relationship is going through a rough path.

  ✓ Their relationship is going through a rough patch.

  The correct word is "patch" (a small area or period), not "path" (a walkway).

• ✗ He went through a hard patch after losing his job.

  ✓ He went through a rough patch after losing his job.

  While "hard" makes sense logically, the standard idiomatic collocation is "rough patch".

Related Expressions

Practice

• They've been arguing a lot lately, but I think they're just ___.

  💡 Experiencing a temporary period of difficulty.

  Show answer

  going through a rough patch

• After the business partner left, the startup had to ___ for a few months.

  💡 Deal with a temporary struggle.

  Show answer

  go through a rough patch