To get your bearings

Get/find your bearings
to find out where you are and where other things are

• It took her a moment to get her bearings in the dark.

Have some/no bearing on something
to be relevant/not relevant to something, or to have an influence/no influence on it

• His private life has no bearing on his competence as a manager.

Lose your bearings
to become confused about where you are and where other things are

• I lost my bearings and ended up at the entrance again.

Take a bearing
to find out where you are or what direction you are going in, using a special instrument such as a compass

As blind as a bat

(as) blind as a bat 
(humorous) not able to see well

• She's as blind as a bat without her glasses.

The blind leading the blind
a situation in which people with almost no experience or knowledge give advice to others who also have no experience or knowledge

Not a blind bit/the blindest bit of… 

(British English, informal) not any

• He didn't take a blind bit of notice of me (= he ignored me).

• It won't make the blindest bit of difference(= it will make no difference at all).

Turn a blind eye (to something)

to pretend not to notice something bad that is happening, so you do not have to do anything about it

• The authorities were either unaware of the problem or turned a blind eye to it.

Blind (to something)

not noticing or realizing something

• She is blind to her husband's faults.
• I must have been blind not to realize the danger we were in.

Blind faith/obedience

[usually before noun] (of strong feelings) seeming to be unreasonable, and accepted without question; seeming to be out of control

• It was a moment of blind panic.

[usually before noun] (of a situation or an event) that cannot be controlled by reason

• a blind chance
• the blind force of nature

"Ain't No Sunshine" Bill Withers

"Ain't No Sunshine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBKcAc8VpIw


Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away.

Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away.

And I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, 
Hey, I oughtta leave young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness every day.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.

Sting - Shape of My Heart

"Shape Of My Heart"

Sting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAzV2PxbzvA

He deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn't play for the money he wins
He don't play for respect

He deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
[Studio version:] The hidden law of a probable outcome
[Live version:] The hidden laws of a probable outcome
The numbers lead a dance

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

He may play the Jack of diamonds
He may lay the Queen of spades
He may conceal a King in his hand
While the memory of it fades

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
That's not the shape, the shape of my heart

And if I told you that I loved you
You'd maybe think there's something wrong
I'm not a man of too many faces
The mask I wear is one

But those who speak know nothing
And find out to their cost
Like those who curse their luck in too many places
And those who fear a loss

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
That's not the shape of my heart
That's not the shape, the shape of my heart

Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush -

"Don't Give Up"

Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush - Don't Give Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEq-r2agqc

in this proud land we grew up strong

we were wanted all along

I was taught to fight, taught to win

I never thought I could fail

no fight left or so it seems

I am a man whose dreams have all deserted

I've changed my face, I've changed my name

but no one wants you when you lose

don't give up

'cos you have friends

don't give up

you're not beaten yet

don't give up

I know you can make it good

though I saw it all around

never thought I could be affected

thought that we'd be the last to go

it is so strange the way things turn

drove the night toward my home

the place that I was born, on the lakeside

as daylight broke, I saw the earth

the trees had burned down to the ground

don't give up

you still have us

don't give up

we don't need much of anything

don't give up

'cause somewhere there's a place

where we belong

rest your head

you worry too much

it's going to be alright

when times get rough

you can fall back on us

don't give up

please don't give up

'got to walk out of here

I can't take anymore

going to stand on that bridge

keep my eyes down below

whatever may come

and whatever may go

that river's flowing

that river's flowing

moved on to another town

tried hard to settle down

for every job, so many men

so many men no-one needs

don't give up

'cause you have friends

don't give up

you're not the only one

don't give up

no reason to be ashamed

don't give up

you still have us

don't give up now

we're proud of who you are

don't give up

you know it's never been easy

don't give up

'cause I believe there's a place

there's a place where we belong

"Wonderful Tonight" Eric Clapton

"Wonderful Tonight" Eric Clapton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUSzL2leaFM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-DpvF8BHwk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQlgcjosN9w (the best one)

Eric Clapton & Mark Knopfler

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.

And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"

And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see

This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.

And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"

And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see

The love light in your eyes.

And the wonder of it all

Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,

So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.

And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,

I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.

Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

"Nothing Else Matters"

Metallica - Nothing Else Matters 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAGnKpE4NCI

So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
But I know

Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words I don't just say
And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Never cared for what they say
Never cared for games they play
Never cared for what they do
Never cared for what they know
And I know

So close no matter how far
Couldn't be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No nothing else matters

"The Thrill Is Gone" de B.B. King

"The Thrill Is Gone" de B.B. King
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9AKF5id9KY

The thrill is gone
The thrill is gone away
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away
You know you done me wrong baby
And you'll be sorry someday
The thrill is gone
It's gone away from me
The thrill is gone baby
The thrill is gone away from me
Although, I'll still live on
But so lonely I'll be
The thrill is gone
It's gone away for good
The thrill is gone baby
It's gone away for good
Someday I know I'll be open armed baby
Just like I know a good man should
You know I'm free, free now baby
I'm free from your spell
Oh I'm free, free, free now
I'm free from your spell
And now that it's all over
All I can do is wish you well

Tears in heaven

"Tears In Heaven" de Eric Clapton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRsJlAJvOSM

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?

I'll find my way
Through night and day,
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven.

Time can bring you down,
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart,
Have you begging please, begging please.

Beyond the door,
There's peace I'm sure,
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven.

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?

I must be strong
And carry on,
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven.

Variations around "To pick holes"

To pick holes in something 
Syn: to split hairs, to quibble, to niggle at, to point out the flaws or fallacies in an argument. 

• The lawyer picked holes in the witness's story. 
• They will pick holes in your argument. 
• Stop picking holes in everything I say!

to find mistakes in something someone has done or said, to show that it is not good or not correct  

• The lawyer did her best to pick holes in the witness's statement.

To split hairs
to argue or worry about very small details or differences that are not important

• They don't have any serious differences. They are just splitting hairs. - couper les cheveux en quatre 
• Don't waste time splitting hairs. Accept it the way it is.

To quibble
to try to make petty distinctions, to be argumentative or contentious with someone about someone or something: 

to quibble about sth, to quibble over sth ergoter sur qch, (chicaner sur qch), to quibble with sth(disagree) ne (pas être d'accord avec qch)

• Let's not quibble about it.  
• Please don't quibble with your sister.  
• No need to quibble over it.

To niggle
To be preoccupied with trifles or petty details. trifles=broutilles

To worry or annoy someone slightly but continuously

• Something was niggling him
• Doubts continued to niggle at her

To find fault constantly and trivially; 

• Stop niggling, will you! 
• To niggle at someone

The Devil is in the details

The slang term “the devil is in the details” has a number of different senses. 

When people say that the devil in the detail, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause serious problems later on.

All of the meanings for the term boil down to the fact that it is often the small details of something which make it difficult or challenging. These details can prolong a task, or foil an otherwise straightforward dealing. Like many proverbs which involve the devil, it is meant to sound a note of caution. It may also be used to excuse or explain the complexity of an otherwise very simple project or task.

Some people also say that the devil's in the details when they examine a contract or agreement. Generally, the agreement looks reasonable at first glance, but a closer examination of the terms and small print reveals a problem. People who routinely sign such agreements usually learn to look them over very carefully, looking for the snag or issue which might ultimately make the deal untenable. This attention to detail is the hallmark of lawyers and accountants in particular.

An interesting example of usage in the news:
http://wamc.org/post/karen-hitchcock-devil-details-president-obama-s-higher-education-plan (with an audio track)

Pipe dream

Pipe dream
unattainable wish. - utopie
something you wish for that can never really happen
Syn: hope, expectation, optimism, prayer, a ray of hope, pious hope

• Peace on earth is a pipe dream.