The crossword solution for the term 'GIVE IT THE OLD COLLEGE TRY' is three letters: 'TRY'. This phrase is an idiom that means to make a great effort, usually in a difficult situation. It is often used to encourage someone to do their best and not give up. The phrase is believed to have originated from the 19th century when students at Oxford and Cambridge universities would TRY their hardest to achieve the highest grades possible.