Terribly bad palate, but versatile (9)
I believe the answer is:
adaptable
'versatile' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'terribly bad palate' is the wordplay.
'terribly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'bad'+'palate'='badpalate'
'badpalate' anagrammed gives 'ADAPTABLE'.
'but' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for adaptable that I've seen before include "Versatile" , "Suitable for new situation or use" , "Able to be modified" , "Able to adjust to new conditions" , "Open to modification" .)