From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsell-by dateˈsell-by date noun [countable] British English 1 BBTDFNthe date stamped on a food product, after which it should not be sold a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date2 informalOLD-FASHIONED a time beyond which something or someone is no longer interesting or useful This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.
Examples from the Corpus
sell-by date• Do women broadcasters have a sell-by date that doesn't apply to men?• So, is there a sell-by date?• Could a turkey with a sell-by date of Dec 27 really be off by Dec 25?• But we can be reasonably sure that the drug company will not guarantee the potency of the sample beyond its sell-by date.• The song may remain the same, but the advice has well passed its sell-by date.• Tips for Buying Fresh Cheeses Always check the recommended sell-by date.• The whole place is always going bad, marching relentlessly towards the sell-by date.• Some privatised stocks are nearing their sell-by date.past ... sell-by date• It was past it, a goner, way past its sell-by date.past ... sell-by date• It was past it, a goner, way past its sell-by date.From Longman Business Dictionarysell-by dateˈsell-by date British EnglishCOMMERCE the last date that a product, especially food, should be soldSYNexpiration date AmE, EXPIRY DATESome wine merchants have been selling the champagne past its sell-by date. → date 