sell-by date

American  

[sel-bahy] / ˈsɛlˌbaɪ /

noun

1. the last date on which perishable food should be sold, usually established with some allowance for home storage under refrigeration.

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idioms

1. past one's / its sell-by date, past one's or its prime; past the period of greatest vigor, success, etc..

   an aging actress, well past her sell-by date.

sell-by date British  

noun

1. a date printed on the packaging of perishable goods, indicating the date after which the goods should not be offered for sale

2. informal beyond one's prime

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Etymology

Origin of sell-by date

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sell-by date

In an age when far too many politicians serve past their sell-by date, a leader who knows when to take a bow and go out with an encore is rare.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

But in this context, as you said at argument, there’s nothing that demands a sell-by date, right?

From Slate ● Oct. 18, 2025

The recall announcement, issued by the wholesaler on Sept. 20, specifically concerns 3,314.7 pounds of tuna poke with Costco Item Number 17193 and a sell-by date of Sept. 22.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2025

That’s because the trip quickly becomes the Matt and Chris show, a long-running two-hander stuffed with bickering, personality tics and grievances that suggests a friendship of opposites long past its sell-by date.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2024

"They're well past their sell-by date," Mr Morgan joked.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2024