sell-by date

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sell-by date (plural sell-by dates)

1. The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.
2. (idiomatic, by extension) Used to indicate that something, or someone, is old and out of date.
   • 2007 March, William Keegan, “As Blair contemplates the hereafter, Britain must endure a life in limbo”, in The Guardian Online:

     Tony Blair insists on remaining in office well past his sell-by date - yet he can afford to go.

   • September 9, 2017 - Schlock Mercenary

     Manifold: This is not a team, Petey. This is just another mass grave.
     Ewin: Eeew. What's the sell-by date on that manifold? I think it's gone bad.

   • 2021 January 13, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Island Line bids farewell to 1930s "icon of transport"...”, in Rail, page 8:

     "They have gone past their sell-by date. But the fitters have done an amazing job keeping these units running for as long as they have.

• best-before date
• best-by date
• use-by date
• expiration date
• expiry date
• issue date

• expiration date
• expiry date
• shelf life
• use-by date
• due date
• best-before date