IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase. Sentence: 'He struck several bad patches before he made good.'

Introduction / Context:
The sentence uses two idioms common in career narratives: “bad patches” and “made good.” A “bad patch” is a difficult period; “to make good” means to succeed or establish oneself after struggle. The context is about setbacks preceding eventual success.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Bad patches” refers to repeated phases, not a single event.
• “Made good” points to achieving success, typically in career or enterprise.
• We are likely discussing professional life, not agriculture or health.

Concept / Approach:
Interpreting idioms requires matching collocations and domains. “Bad patches” commonly collocates with business, jobs, or personal fortunes. The best paraphrase respects that domain: multiple professional difficulties before eventual success.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Decode “bad patches” → periods of hardship.2) Decode “made good” → succeeded, did well at last.3) Combine senses within a career frame.4) Choose the option that captures professional setbacks: “Had many professional difficulties.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Replace the idioms: “He faced several professional difficulties before he finally succeeded.” The meaning holds and reads naturally.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A) “bad soil” misreads “patches” literally as land.B) “Had a bad time” is vague and misses the professional angle.C) “many illness” shifts to health and is ungrammatical.

Common Pitfalls:
Literalizing “patches” as ground, or ignoring the specific collocation “made good” which strongly signals career success.

Final Answer:
Had many professional difficulties