# black out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/black-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To censor or cover up by writing over with black ink.

## Examples

- Please black out your personal information on the form.
- The government decided to black out several paragraphs in the report before releasing it to the public.
- To protect the identity of the confidential informant, the legal team chose to black out all identifying details within the released documents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.