The phrase "rocky road" is an idiomatic expression that means a difficult, challenging or troubled path. It can refer to any situation where things are not going smoothly and there are obstacles or difficulties to overcome. The term comes from the idea of traveling on a rough, uneven surface, which can make it hard to move forward easily. In this sense, "rocky road" is often used metaphorically to describe someone's personal journey through life, where they may face many challenges and setbacks along the way.