Definition

Noun: A date printed on the packaging of perishable food items, indicating the last recommended date by which the product should be sold by the retailer. It is primarily a stock control guide for shops, not necessarily a safety indicator.

Usage

The "sell-by date" is used by retailers to manage inventory. Consumers should understand that this date is not the same as an expiration or "use-by" date. Food is often still safe to consume for some time after this date if stored correctly. - Always check the sell-by date before buying milk. - The supermarket reduced the price of items nearing their sell-by date.

Advanced Usage

• "Past its sell-by date": An idiomatic expression meaning something is no longer useful, effective, or fashionable.
  • That marketing strategy is past its sell-by date; we need fresh ideas.

Variants and Related Words

• Use-by date (noun): A date marked on food indicating the last date it is considered safe to consume.
• Best-before date (noun): A date indicating when a product will be at its best quality, after which it is still often safe to eat but may not be at peak freshness.

Synonyms

• Expiration date (note: this is a broader, often stricter term)
• Shelf-life limit

Related Idioms

• "Past its sell-by date": As described in Advanced Usage, this idiom extends the concept to ideas, trends, or people.
  • Some argue that the traditional office is past its sell-by date.

Noun

1. a date stamped on perishable produce indicating the date by which it should be sold