patch of bad luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patch of bad luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of misfortune or a series of unfortunate events that someone is experiencing. Example: "After losing his job and facing health issues, he felt like he was going through a patch of bad luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The win ended a recent patch of bad luck for the Bruins in Game 7s, especially at home.

The New York Times - Sports

Diversification irons out the bumps and removes the risk of a patch of bad luck destroying your capital.

Forbes

We had a patch of bad luck, just a run of probably the same bad luck that most people get at some point in their lives, but it went from having a baby right into my wife having thyroid cancer.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On the surface, Marie Troy, 51, and her daughter Nicole Abbate, 17, seem to have hit a rough patch — the product of bad luck, perhaps, or a bad year.

The New York Times

Bit of bad luck, Hoggard.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a combination of bad luck and bad management.

The New York Times

An individual case of bad luck?

The New York Times

"He had a lifetime of good luck and a moment of bad luck," Alderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a bit of bad luck".

The Guardian

The headcount is another bit of bad luck.

The Economist

She also experienced a lot of bad luck.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "patch of bad luck", ensure it clearly refers to a limited duration or specific period, as opposed to a permanent state of misfortune. It is often used to provide context or explain temporary setbacks.

Common error

Avoid using "patch of bad luck" to describe long-term, persistent issues. This phrase implies a temporary phase, not an ongoing condition. For chronic situations, consider terms like "unfortunate life" or "long-term hardship".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patch of bad luck" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a temporary period or series of unfortunate events. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, mainly in news and media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patch of bad luck" is a noun phrase used to describe a short period of misfortune. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and can be used to describe a series of unfortunate events. While correct, it is relatively rare and mostly confined to news and media contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "period of adversity" may be more appropriate. It's important to ensure the phrase accurately reflects a temporary situation, avoiding its use for chronic or long-term difficulties. When appropriately used, it serves to contextualize setbacks and offer a sympathetic perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spell of misfortune

Replaces 'patch' with 'spell' to indicate a period of bad luck, focusing on the duration of the misfortune.

streak of ill fortune

Uses 'streak' and 'ill fortune' to convey a continuous series of unlucky events.

run of unfavorable circumstances

Emphasizes the sequence of negative events contributing to the bad luck.

series of unfortunate events

Highlights multiple unlucky incidents happening in succession.

bout of adversity

Focuses on the challenging or difficult nature of the unlucky period.

time of hardship

Indicates a period marked by difficulties and suffering.

period of tribulation

Highlights the testing and challenging nature of the unlucky phase.

wave of misfortune

Uses 'wave' to suggest a sudden and overwhelming experience of bad luck.

bout of bad breaks

Replaces luck with breaks to emphasize the absence of opportunities.

chain of mishaps

Emphasizes the sequential nature of unlucky accidents or mistakes.

FAQs

What does "patch of bad luck" mean?

A "patch of bad luck" refers to a period or short series of unfortunate events or difficulties in someone's life.

How can I use "patch of bad luck" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a temporary period of misfortune. For example: "After a series of setbacks, it seemed he was going through a "patch of bad luck"".

What are some alternatives to "patch of bad luck"?

Alternatives include "spell of misfortune", "streak of ill fortune", or "run of unfavorable circumstances".

Is it appropriate to use "patch of bad luck" in formal writing?

While understandable, "patch of bad luck" may be considered informal for academic or professional writing. More formal options such as "period of adversity" may be preferable.