bad patch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad patch" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a difficult or challenging period in someone's life or situation. For example, "After going through a bad patch, she finally found a new job." Alternative expressions include "rough time" and "tough period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cricket, too, has hit a bad patch.

The Economist

"They are going through a bad patch.

The Guardian

The SPD, in particular, is going through a bad patch.

The Economist

The following year the bad patch reached its worst point.

Independent

The BJP is going through more than a bad patch.

The Economist

Admittedly I was going through a bad patch.

The Guardian - Film

"Nobody expected us to hit that bad patch.

The Guardian - Sport

"Over the last few years, he recovered very well, even after a bad patch.

The New York Times - Sports

Gail: This has been a bad patch for moderates in general.

The New York Times

A bad patch can also test the very foundation of a marriage.

The New York Times

The music industry is also difficult, and is currently going through a particularly bad patch.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with dynamic verbs like "go through", "hit", "encounter" or "weather" to create a natural flow in narrative writing.

Common error

Do not use the term to describe a situation that is fundamentally broken or permanent. Calling a terminal business failure a "bad patch" can sound dismissive or inaccurate because the term implies a return to normalcy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad patch" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the direct object of a verb. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is standard English and grammatically correct. It often follows verbs of experience like "go through", "endure" or "hit". In sentences provided by Ludwig, it serves to categorize a specific window of time as negative without implying a permanent state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Business

12%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "bad patch" is a robust and versatile idiom used to describe a temporary period of difficulty or poor performance. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency in reputable sources, particularly in the realms of sports and international news. It is most effective when you want to acknowledge a struggle without sounding overly pessimistic, as it implies the hardship is a transient phase rather than a permanent condition. When writing, consider using it with verbs like "weathering" or "navigating" to add a sense of active management to the struggle. For a slightly more informal or Americanized tone, you might opt for "<a href="/s/rough+patch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">rough patch", but otherwise, this phrase remains a staple of sophisticated English prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough patch

Almost perfectly interchangeable and slightly more common in American English.

tough time

A more general and less idiomatic way to describe the same situation.

slump

Focuses specifically on a decline in performance or economic activity.

lean period

Suggests a time with fewer resources or less success than usual.

difficult phase

A more formal and clinical description of a temporary struggle.

low ebb

A metaphorical expression suggesting a point of minimum strength or success.

rocky road

Focuses on the difficult process or path being traveled rather than just the time period.

downturn

Usually applied to financial or business contexts rather than personal ones.

hard times

Implies more severe or prolonged suffering than a temporary patch.

sticky wicket

A British idiom specifically referring to a difficult situation that is hard to handle.

FAQs

How do I use "bad patch" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a difficult time in any context, such as: "The team is going through a <a href="/s/bad+patch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">bad patch but they expect to win next week."

What can I say instead of "bad patch"?

Depending on your context, you could use "<a href="/s/rough+patch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">rough patch", "<a href="/s/tough+time" target="_blank" rel="alternative">tough time", or "<a href="/s/difficult+period" target="_blank" rel="alternative">difficult period".

What is the difference between "bad patch" and "rough patch"?

There is virtually no difference in meaning. "<a href="/s/rough+patch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">rough patch" is slightly more common in the US, while "bad patch" is very frequent in British English and international journalism.

Can I use "bad patch" in business writing?

Yes, as long as the tone is relatively neutral. It is frequently seen in high-level publications like The Economist to describe economic downturns or corporate struggles.