Did blue pencilling after dropping red worked (5)
I believe the answer is:
acted
This clue might be a double definition.
'did' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'worked' is the second definition.
('act' can be a synonym of 'work')
'blue pencilling after dropping red' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to one of the definitions.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for acted that I've seen before include "Behaved or performed" , "exerted influence" , "Play a role" , "Behaved or played a part" , "Feigned" .)