It was a fight to the finish

It was an Italian, Bartolomeo Cristofori, who invented the piano, in about 1700

I was surprised to get your call.

He was completely baffled

He was at a complete loss [as to what to do]

I was kicking myself

It was a direct challenge to the president’s authority

I was hoping Venice would be nicer.

I was born in Germany.

He was put off with fine speeches.

It was great fun

It was his off day

I was almost deaf after the party.

I was born in Munich

He was laid off

He was a babe in the woods when he came to Berlin

I was caught with my pants down

He was flabbergasted

I was properly scared and no mistake!

I was shivering.

I was on my beams-end

He was pointing/aiming a gun at the door

He was dismissed without ceremony.

I was freezing all over.

He was that angry