What is the origin of the idiom "get hold of someone" and when to use it?

The idiom "get hold of someone" is derived from the literal action of physically grabbing or holding onto someone to establish contact or communicate with them. Over time, it has been adapted to a figurative sense in which it means to establish contact with someone, either by reaching them through phone calls, messages, or other means of communication. This phrase is commonly used to emphasize the effort or persistence required to make contact with someone.