Idioms and Phrases - Verbal and Reasoning

In the following questions four alternatives are given for the idiom/phraseitalicised and underlinedin the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of idiom/phrase.
Q1:

He struck several bad patches before he made good.

A came across bad soil

B Had a bad time

C Went through many illness

D Had many professional difficulties

ANS:D - Had many professional difficulties

No answer description is available.