sell-by date

English

Noun

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 (idiomatic, by extension) Used to indicate that something, or someone, is old and out of date.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, As Blair contemplates the hereafter, Britain must endure a life in limbo, by William Keegan in The Guardian Online.

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

See also

• expiration date
• shelf life
• use-by date