Take Manhattan is a phrase that originated in the 1940s and is often used to refer to the act of leaving one's home or place of origin to pursue a career in New York City. The phrase is derived from the popular song 'Take the 'A' Train' by Duke Ellington, which was released in 1941. The phrase has since become a popular way to refer to the act of pursuing a career in the Big Apple. The crossword solution for the term 'Take Manhattan' is ILL, which stands for 'involuntarily leaving life.'