going out of date

USAGE SUMMARY

"going out of date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is no longer current, and may soon be obsolete or no longer useful. For example: "These computers are going out of date - we should try to replace the hardware soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But that stereotype is going out of date.

The Economist

I only eat going out of date food.

The Guardian

The technique of locating oneself by observations of celestial objects is rapidly going out of date.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thankfully my local Sainsbury's offers food at 75% off when going out of date.

The Guardian

"That's a perfectly sensible thing to do – keeping your fridge tidy means there isn't a yoghurt sitting at the back quietly going out of date".

Independent

In its response to the PAC report, the government said that the 2013-14 programme to replace drug stocks going out of date with new batches was already in place.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This must though take into account the possibility of rebated drugs going out-of-date before they can be used or whether current systems have the ability to fully track patients and potential rebates, e.g. the cost of missed claims with bortezomid (above).

BMC Health Services Research

For a gaming PC, you might not even need a printer at all! ' please don't edit this to include specific products as these rapidly go out-of-date. Also, can someone make this a comment, I'm still new here).

WikiHow

Its findings go out of date quickly.

The Economist

"Antiques don't go out of date.

The New York Times - Arts

These will not go out of date.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going out of date", consider the specific context. For tangible items like food or medicine, it refers to expiration. For concepts or technologies, it indicates obsolescence. Choose synonyms that accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "going out of date" interchangeably with phrases like "becoming unfashionable" or "losing popularity". While there may be overlap, "going out of date" typically implies a functional or practical obsolescence, not merely a decline in trendiness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going out of date" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of becoming obsolete, expired, or no longer current. It describes the transition from being up-to-date or valid to being outdated or invalid. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going out of date" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that effectively communicates the process of something becoming obsolete or expired. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although it is most frequently found in news and media. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure accurate communication, avoiding confusion with related concepts like "going out of fashion". Alternatives like "becoming obsolete" or "expiring" may offer more precise nuances. The phrase serves to inform or warn about the need for replacement or update, as the examples collected by Ludwig show.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming outdated

Direct synonym, focusing on the process of losing currency.

becoming obsolete

Focuses more on the process of becoming outdated, rather than the state itself.

losing relevance

Emphasizes the decline in importance or significance.

becoming antiquated

Stresses the old-fashioned or outdated nature.

falling into disuse

Highlights the cessation of use or practice.

passing its prime

Suggests that something was once at its best but is now declining.

losing its edge

Highlights a decline in competitive advantage or effectiveness.

becoming stale

Indicates a lack of freshness or originality.

running its course

Implies that something has reached its natural conclusion or expiration.

expiring

Focuses on the termination of validity or usability, particularly for tangible items.

FAQs

How can I use "going out of date" in a sentence?

You can use "going out of date" to describe something becoming obsolete or no longer current. For example, "These computers are "becoming obsolete" and need to be replaced", or "Check the expiry dates to ensure the food isn't "expired"".

What are some alternatives to "going out of date"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "becoming obsolete", "losing relevance", "becoming outdated", or "expiring".

Is it correct to say "going out of date"?

Yes, "going out of date" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe something becoming obsolete or no longer current, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

What's the difference between "going out of date" and "going out of fashion"?

"Going out of date" typically refers to functional obsolescence or expiration, such as with technology or food. "Going out of fashion" refers to a decline in trendiness or popularity, such as with clothing or hairstyles.