The best of a bad bunch - the person or thing of a group that is not as bad as the others, although none of the group is good. Example - "The picture isn't exactly what I would have chosen, but it was the best of a bad bunch"
To miss the boat - to be too slow to take advantage of an opportunity. Example - "I sent off my university application at the last minute and almost missed the boat"
Uphill battle - something very difficult because other people are causing problems for you. Example - "Environmentalists face an uphill battle convincing people to use their cars less."