put someone away—
1. confine a person in a mental home or prison:
- It was like those nightmares in which the dreamer sees himself put away for lunacy.
2. (euph., of an animal) put to death:
- The dog Billy was dying, and in September he had to be put away.
put someone off—
1. allow a person to leave a vehicle:
- Would you please put me off at the railway station?
2. discourage a person from smth.:
- I’ve been trying to see you, but your secretary keeps putting me off.
3. distract smb. from work or an activity:
- The singer was put off by a sudden noise outside, and was unable to continue.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase lay someone off—stop employing a person (because of a lack of work):
- Hundreds of workers were laid off when the factory was closed after the fire.