have passed (someone's or something's) sell-by date
have passed (someone's or something's) sell-by date
1. Literally, to be past the date by which an edible item should be sold before it spoils. That milk has definitely passed its sell-by date—it's curdled!
2. By extension, to be past the peak of one's abilities or career. The company is forcing my mother to retire because they think she has passed her sell-by date. That player has definitely passed his sell-by date—he hasn't had a good season in years.
See also: date, have, passe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
have passed your sell-by date
BRITISHCOMMON If someone or something has passed their sell-by date, they are no longer useful, successful, or relevant. Do you think our marriage has passed its sell-by date? Note: You can also say that someone or something is past their sell-by date. Many people feel the presenter is past her sell-by date. Note: You can also say that someone or something has reached their sell-by date. Critics of the monarchy say it has reached its sell-by date. Note: Most food has a date stamped on its packaging: this is its sell-by date. After this date it is no longer fresh enough to sell.
See also: date, have, passe
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- have passed your sell-by date
- be past its sell-by date
- be past the/(one's) sell-by date
- sell-by date
- best before date
- to date
- out of date
- double date
- heavy date
- name the day