Is there a word (or phrase) that describe a series of mishaps/misfortunes in one's life?
I don't mean something like 'many hardships' or 'several tragedies'. I'm looking for a word or short phrase that would describe just a really rough spot or time frame in someone's life. For instance, [s]he was fired, lost a loved one and/or a friend, a pet died, [s]he wasn't getting much support from those around him/her. How can I describe such a cluster of emotional events in a simple way?
A bad patch. I've heard rough patch, too, but more commonly bad patch or rough time. I suppose sticky patch is chiefly British.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/go-through-a-bad-difficult-rough-sticky-patch
- Trial and tribulation.
- Ordeal.
i.e.: A period of trial and tribulation.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trials+and+tribulations