go stale

idiom

1
of a food : to become no longer fresh
The bread went stale.
2
: to become dull or predictable
Their relationship went stale.

Examples of go stale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fluctuating temperatures can make bread go stale faster. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025 Nearly 53% of Alameda County listings had been on the market for more than 30 days — a 7.6% annual increase from June 2023 — while Contra Costa saw almost 50% of listings go stale, a 7% increase. Tom Li, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024 Here’s how to break it down: For the Roasted Chicken and Bread With Fennel-Arugula Salad, cut off four ¾-inch-thick slices and let the slices sit at room temperature to go stale. Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021 While Nicholson usually whips up her pasta art for clients to enjoy right away, this project transformed her work into a mini kitchen gallery that will never go stale. Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, 29 July 2020 Ground coffee will go stale in a few weeks, but coffee beans in an unopened package (no need for a freezer) are fine for up to nine months. Laura Daily, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2020 However, keep in mind that bird seed can eventually go stale, so avoid buying the biggest bird feeder on the market if your yard only gets a few avian guests a day. Kristen (kj) Callihan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Mar. 2023 Figuring out how to creatively spend time together so the relationship doesn’t go stale or fizzle is key, says Jackson. Lindsay Geller, Women's Health, 28 Feb. 2023 When your bread is about to go stale, stick it in the freezer to harden. People Staff, Peoplemag, 24 Oct. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Go stale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20stale. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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