going through a rough stretch

USAGE SUMMARY

"going through a rough stretch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used when a person is experiencing a difficult period in their life. For example, "My family has been going through a rough stretch lately, but we're trying to stay positive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We're just going through a rough stretch," D'Antoni said before the game.

The New York Times - Sports

On another show, a family going through a rough stretch is chosen for an extreme home makeover.

The New York Times

I was going through a rough stretch personally, and I was a huge Train fan already.

Huffington Post

"We're going through a rough stretch," the normally reliable Smith said after the worst outing of his nine-year career.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

No matter how many Super Bowls a quarterback wins, if he goes through a rough stretch there are always calls for the backup.

The New York Times - Sports

They have gone through a rough stretch in the past hundred years, facing external obstacles (Hitler and Stalin were amateur music critics) as well as problems of their own invention ("Why doesn't anyone like our beautiful twelve-tone music?").

The New Yorker

Walton has also long had the support of Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, and hasn't lost it as the Lakers go through a rough stretch in the early part of the season.

Los Angeles Times

"We're going through such a rough stretch that we need to worry about the Braves".

The New York Times - Sports

Steven Ballmer is going through a rough patch.

The New York Times

They're going through a rough time".

The New York Times - Sports

"Pakistan is going through a rough patch.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going through a rough stretch" when you want to communicate a temporary period of difficulty, without specifying the exact nature or cause of the problem. It's suitable for both personal and professional contexts.

Common error

While useful, relying too heavily on "going through a rough stretch" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "experiencing a difficult period" or "facing challenging circumstances" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going through a rough stretch" functions as a descriptive idiom, typically used to indicate that someone or something is experiencing a period of difficulty or hardship. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going through a rough stretch" is an idiom used to describe a temporary period of difficulty or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, appearing mostly in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys empathy and understanding. Consider using synonyms like "experiencing a difficult period" to prevent repetition. Be mindful of the context, as more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain situations. Remember that expressing support and understanding is crucial when someone is facing a challenging time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing a difficult period

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the hardship with broader context.

facing challenging circumstances

Highlights the situational aspect of the difficulties.

enduring a trying time

Focuses on the act of withstanding the difficulties.

navigating a bumpy road

Uses a metaphor to describe the unsteady and challenging progress.

in the midst of hardship

Emphasizes being currently surrounded by difficulties.

undergoing a period of adversity

Highlights the experience of facing unfavorable conditions.

grappling with tough situations

Focuses on actively struggling to overcome difficult situations.

stumbling through a hard phase

Suggests a lack of stability and difficulty in progressing.

contending with trying events

Highlights the act of striving to deal with difficult events.

sailing through troubled waters

Uses a nautical metaphor to convey navigating difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "going through a rough stretch" in a sentence?

You can use "going through a rough stretch" to describe a period of difficulty. For example, "Our company is "going through a rough stretch" due to the economic downturn."

What's a more formal way to say "going through a rough stretch"?

More formal alternatives include "experiencing a period of adversity" or "facing challenging circumstances". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What are some signs that someone is "going through a rough stretch"?

Signs may include increased stress, changes in mood or behavior, decreased productivity, or expressions of difficulty and hardship.

What can I say instead of "going through a rough stretch" when offering support?

Instead of saying someone is "going through a rough stretch", you might say, "I understand you're "experiencing a difficult time", and I'm here to support you."