Saturday Times Jumbo Cryptic 517 Monday April 12th 2004

[diogenes44]

13.across. Best or worst? As such, it doesn't make much difference (4) ?e?b . Can only think of verb, but can't parse the clue.

[Oldred]

verb is correct according to The Times site.
presumably because as verbs both mean the same (defeat)

[Lie-in King]

As a transitive verb, both 'best' & 'worst' can mean "to get the better of"

[diogenes44]

Many thanks to both of you.