He's going through a bad/difficult/rough 'patch' [='spell'] right now.
The chair's original paint is still visible 'in patches'. [=in spots]
The doctor 'patched' him 'up', so he's going to be as good as new.
(..) - They shot my father... - Even that was business, not personal. Then business will have to suffer. Do me a favour. No more advice on how to patch things up. Just help me win. I found out about Captain McCluskey, who broke Mike's jaw. He's definitely on Sollozzo's payroll, and for big money. (..)1972 The Godfather