Surgical Line Lift

method for reducing a scene's runtime by making small, precise trims to dialogue, such as removing a single word or tightening the space between lines. As described by television editor Joe Mitacek, these "surgical" lifts are intended to be invisible to the audience. They are a common first step for getting an episode to its required length when only minor time savings are needed, as opposed to 'deeper cuts' that remove entire sections.