endured a rough patch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "endured a rough patch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging period in someone's life or situation. Example: "After years of hard work, they finally overcame the struggles they had endured during a rough patch in their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Following the winter break, Benzema endured a rough patch going scoreless the first three games before recording his 11th goal of the season against Nice in a 3 1 victory.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Arsenal admire Klopp, the German admires them and - whenever the Gunners endure a rough patch - his is the first name on the lips of many of their fans.

BBC

Hedge funds have endured a rough year.

The New York Times

The company, known for its provocative advertising and controversial founder, has endured a rough year.

The New York Times

The American auto industry has endured a rough ride in recent years.

The New York Times

DealBook » Large Hedge Funds Fared Well in 2011  |  Hedge funds have endured a rough year.

The New York Times

By many measures, the markets have endured a rough five days.

The New York Times

But she has endured a bit of a rough patch in recent weeks, and on Thursday, she fielded questions that focused chiefly on a campaign finance bill that the mayor has blasted because he says it would tear a loophole in the city's election spending rules, and a pedicab bill that he, unexpectedly, opted not to sign on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Isaac Hamilton endured an especially rough patch against Oklahoma and North Carolina, shooting shot three for 19 with two assists and 11 turnovers.

Los Angeles Times

The service also celebrated a life that endured a few rough patches after basketball but had turned almost fairy-tale sweet toward its end: Harris had reconnected with his wife, Marianne, become a star salesman at North Side Toyota/Scion and was the proud patriarch of a large extended family that treasured him.

The New York Times - Sports

But love is never easy, and the relationship between cinema and its public, which has endured for more than a century, has hit a rough patch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "endured a rough patch" with more descriptive alternatives like "faced significant financial hardship" or "overcame a period of personal loss" to provide greater detail and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "endured a rough patch" as a generic description for any kind of problem. Be specific about the nature of the difficulties encountered to provide more meaningful information to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endured a rough patch" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the experience of surviving a difficult period. It typically acts as part of the predicate in a sentence, describing a subject's past experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wikipedia

12%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "endured a rough patch" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the experience of surviving a difficult period. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it's crucial to provide specific context to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "went through a difficult period" or "faced a challenging situation" can offer more precise descriptions depending on the context. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of communications, though formal settings may benefit from more detailed language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Went through a difficult period

Focuses on the action of experiencing a challenging time.

Faced a challenging situation

Highlights the confrontation with a difficult circumstance.

Experienced hardship

Emphasizes the suffering and difficulty encountered.

Struggled through a trying time

Indicates a persistent effort to overcome difficulties.

Navigated a period of adversity

Implies skillful management of a difficult situation.

Weathered a storm

Uses a metaphor to describe surviving a turbulent period.

Overcame obstacles

Highlights the act of successfully surmounting difficulties.

Coped with a tough phase

Focuses on the ability to manage and deal with a difficult time.

Pulled through a hard time

Indicates resilience and eventual success after a challenging period.

Lived through a trying ordeal

Emphasizes the intensity and severity of the difficult experience.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "endured a rough patch"?

Saying someone "endured a rough patch" means they experienced and survived a difficult period in their life, career, or relationship.

What can I say instead of "endured a rough patch"?

You can use alternatives like "went through a difficult period", "faced a challenging situation", or "experienced hardship" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "endured a rough patch" in a sentence?

Example: "After the company restructure, she "endured a rough patch" while adapting to her new role."

Is it better to use "endured a rough patch" or a more specific description of the hardship?

While "endured a rough patch" is acceptable, providing specific details about the nature of the hardship often makes your writing clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of saying "The business "endured a rough patch"", specify that "The business faced a significant decline in sales due to increased competition".