rough patch

plural rough patches

1. idiomaticA difficult or embattling period of one's life.

   It's in the nature of politics, and certainly the presidency, to go through rough patches – times when, because of a boneheaded mistake, an unforeseen circumstance, a sound but unpopular decision, or a failure to communicate – the headlines turn sour and the public finds you wanting.

   2020, Barack Obama, chapter 22, in A Promised Land, Crown

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rough, patch.