Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

1. It's awful to realize we've passed our sell-by dates.
What does "sell-by" dates mean?

2. While swimming, she saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb. she had been swimming for nearly 16 hours, only to be driven away by the sound of gunshots.

Can you paraphrase the last sentence?

Thanks

[Suzanne]

1. A "sell-by" date is the date that is stamped on a carton or container of food. It tells the date that the store can no longer display the food for sale. You should buy a food before the "sell-by" date expires.
You can still use, cook, or freeze the food.

2. This looks like a sentence from a story, so it's not easy to figure out.
Here is how I would paraphrase it:
"She had been swimming for 16 hours. She was tired, and her body was numb from being in the water for so long. It was foggy. She couldn't see anything. But when she heard gunshots, she knew she couldn't go to shore. It wasn't safe. She had to stay in the water."

[jasonlulu_2000]

That helps a lot!