expired

Definition

When something ceases to be valid or legally binding—like your driver's license reminding you that time is merciless. In legal contexts, it's the moment your rights, permits, or agreements transform from 'active' to 'sorry, you're out of luck.'

Example Usage

The judge dismissed the case because the statute of limitations had expired.

Source: Common legal terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

instruction

A formal direction or command, particularly one issued by a court to influence how a case proceeds or how a jury should think. Legal instructions are like GPS for courtrooms—they tell everyone exactly where they're supposed to go.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

Injunction

A court order telling someone to stop doing something, which is what judges issue when saying "knock it off" needs to be legally binding. The adult version of a teacher confiscating your phone.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

mandamus

A writ compelling a government official or entity to perform a mandatory duty, Latin for 'we command.' It's how courts remind public servants that discretion has limits and duties aren't optional.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

arbiter

Someone with the authority to make final decisions or judgments, whether in legal disputes, matters of taste, or technical controversies. While similar to arbitrator, arbiter has broader usage beyond just legal contexts—you can be the arbiter of fashion or good taste. In circuit design, it's the component that decides who gets access to shared resources, proving even electronics need judges.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

duty

A moral or legal obligation to act (or not act) in a certain way, plus the taxes governments slap on imports and exports. In corporate settings, it's being 'on duty' or responsible for tasks. The term encompasses everything from your fiduciary duty to shareholders to the customs duty on that suspiciously cheap designer handbag.

⚖️ Legal

Beginner

offender

Someone who breaks the law or violates the rules in a significant way—basically the person everyone's mad at. The protagonist of most police dramas.

⚖️ Legal

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See “expired” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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