When life isn't going as smoothly as we'd like, we might describe it as "rough goings." But there are a variety of other ways to express this same idea. We might say we're experiencing a difficult patch, a challenging phase, a bumpy ride, or a rocky road. Other synonyms might include tough times, a rough patch, a troubled period, or a turbulent stretch. No matter how we choose to describe it, though, these phrases all convey the idea of facing adversity and struggling to make it through a challenging time.