sell-by date

[sel-bahy]

noun

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

sell-by date

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sell-by date¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

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

The cartons will also have the sell-by dates of July 1 through Sept. 18.

From Los Angeles Times

It found meat was not properly traceable, sell-by dates were altered and the chicken was not properly chilled when it was transported in dirty vans across south and west Wales.

From BBC

The sell-by date of some chicken was altered and labels did not have the correct information on them to enable the source of the meat to be properly traced.

From BBC

There was, of course, an unavoidable sell-by date for North’s Dennis.

From Los Angeles Times