'get past Sth' and 'pass Sth'?

[Mehrgan]

Hi there,
I'd be happy if someone could kindly answer this question of mine. I just wonder how 'to get past something' may differ in meaning from 'to pass something'.


Also, is it possible to use them interchangably in the following two expressions?

1. "The food is past/has passed its sell-by-date!"
2. "I think I can still work! I haven't passed/am not past my sell-by-date yet!"


Thanks a lot!

 

[5jj]

' be past' and 'pass' are interchangeable in your sentences.

 

[Tdol]

However, be past sounds more natural to me in both cases.

 

[Mehrgan]

Thanks to you both!
And, apart from being interchangably used at times, are there cases when one shouldn't be used instead of the other?

Many thanks again!

 

[SoothingDave]

Passing a kidney stone is not that same as getting past a kidney stone. Nor is passing a football.