Elite group (1-4)
(Other definitions for a-list that I've seen before include "Top celebrity group" , "Most celebrated people" , "of the best sort" , "Acclaimed" , "Very famous" .)
'elite group?' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'elite group?' is the wordplay.
'elite' becomes 'inner' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'group?' becomes 'circle' (I've seen this in other clues).
'inner'+'circle'='INNER CIRCLE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inner circle that I've seen before include "Exclusive group" , "Privileged group" .)
(Other definitions for alist that I've seen before include "Names of sought-after people are on it" , "Top celebrities" , "Most famous celebrities" .)