CEFR C1

blue-pencil

verb

Meaning

To censor or remove parts of a text, film, or broadcast that are considered objectionable, sensitive, or unsuitable for the intended audience.

Examples

  • The film studio decided to blue-pencil the most violent scenes to ensure a PG rating.
  • Journalists are often trained to blue-pencil their own work to adhere to editorial standards.

Synonyms: censor, edit, expurgate, redact