sell-by date

Definitions

noun The final date on which a perishable product can be legally sold to the public.
noun idiomatic, by extension Used to indicate that something, or someone, is old and out of date.

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

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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It's the middle of the night, and you find yourself in front of the fridge. As you reach for the wedge of cheese or box of treats that lured you out of bed in the first place, you realize there's a tiny date stamped on the label. It's a "use-by" date. No, wait, it's a "sell-by" date. Or is that a "best-by" date? To add to the confusion, the date may not really matter all that much.

What's the Difference Between 'Sell By,' 'Use By,' and 'Best By' Dates? Lauren Breedlove 2024