What is to put off?
What is to put off?
to make someone not want to do something, or to make someone not like someone or something. Lack of parking space was putting potential customers off. Robert's attitude towards women really puts me off. put someone off someone/something: I put him off the idea of going shopping with me.
Did you get hold of him meaning?
The three variations of this expression exist and are acceptable. The meaning actually depends on what follows of, so get hold/ahold of someone means communicate with/reach someone and get hold/ahold of something means obtaining/literally reaching out for something.