Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

A lean patch

A period of poor performance

The most appropriate meaning of the idiom "a lean patch" is a period of poor performance.

The other options are incorrect.

• "Cloth that is beginning to tear" is not the same as a lean patch. A lean patch is not a physical object, but a period of time.
• "A part of hair that is thin" is not the same as a lean patch. A lean patch is not a physical object, but a period of time.
• "Friendship that has ended" is not the same as a lean patch. A lean patch is not the end of a friendship, but a period of time when the friendship is not as strong as it usually is.

The idiom "a lean patch" comes from the idea of a cow that is not producing as much milk as it usually does. So, when someone is said to be in a lean patch, it means that they are not performing as well as they usually do. For example, you might say that a sports team is in a lean patch if they are not winning as many games as they usually do.