-1: _bove (1,3,5) a cut above

-2: hto (3,4) hot shot

-3: eroo ooer (10) switcheroo

-4: stcok (5,8) stock exchange

-5: put
flag flag (3,2,7) put on waivers

-6: petit , pet-- (now you see it now you don't) ; apologies for having 3rd word = 2 before!

-7: relax, relav (relax take five)

1. a cut above

4. stock exchange

Both keerect

2. hot shot?

Yes Gerry

3. cookiejars

Nope Cue

5. put on waivers?

good solve Sherlock

Happiness is getting it right! Thanks CanukDenis!

Hints on remaining 3:

3: eroo ooer (10) : answer is slang for "change"

6: petit , pet-- (3,3,2,2,3,3,4) : 1st word = "now" , last is like abc'd

7: relax, relav (5,4,4) : 1st word = relax

Thought for sure that was it
Back to the drawing board.

3. switcheroo

If it makes you feel better, Cue, I thought it had to do with oreo cookies, too.

Ah....thanks Joan. I can rest the gray matter now