Each of the four words below can be changed in the same way to form four new words, which in turn lead to four common expressions suggested by the corresponding clues a - d. What are the new words and expressions?

1. CATS
2. POTS
3. VETS
4. GRITS

a. Big production
b. Shirk responsibility
c. Secret
d. Gossip

Answers:

Each of the words becomes a new one when its last two letters are reversed:

1. CAST
2. POST
3. VEST
4. GRITS 

The common expressions:

1. CAST OF THOUSANDS
2. DESERT ONE'S POST
3. CLOSE TO THE VEST
4. GRIST FOR THE MILL 

Credit: Bonnie L. Gentry
LOTS IN TRANSLATION