1. The nine-letter name of what occupation consists of the letters S-E-U-R-A-T (repeated as necessary), and no others?  (Will Shortz)

2. Think of a three-letter word that means to unite. Insert the letter L somewhere within it and you'll get a new word that also means unite. What are the two words?  (Will Shortz)

3. Can you think of two expressions, both centered on the same word, which describe opposite situations? The first suggests difficult times, while the second implies great success.

HINT:
3. The central word is CHIP.

Answers:

1. TREASURER 
2. WED and WELD

3)
Difficult times - when the chips are down
Great success  - in the chips