NY Times Crossword
November 9, 2017
Bruce Haight (#1-4 - adapted)

Each clue below is followed by a string of letters. The letter strings follow a certain pattern, which, when discovered, relates the string to its corresponding clue to suggest a familiar phrase.

1. The die is cast - GNINRUT
2. Words spoken before a TV commercial - THGIR
3. Words of retraction - TAHT
4. You're not welcome here anymore - EMOC
5. "Yakety yak" - KLAT
6. The future is bright ahead - KOOL
7. One way to confront a bully - THGIF
8. Resisting pressure to do something - GNIHSUP

Answers:

The letter string are words written backward.

1. There's no TURNING back.
2. We'll be RIGHT back.
3. I take THAT back.
4. Don't COME back.
5. Don't TALK back.
6. Don't LOOK back
7. FIGHT back
8. PUSHING back