Alternative-energy car sales tend to fall rapidly after fuel prices peak, according to Kelly Blue Book.

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Likewise, some tents last for a long time whereas others fall to pieces rapidly.

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If control of Phobos-Grunt cannot be re-established, the focus of interest will very rapidly shift to the spacecraft's certain fall to Earth.

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When all is said and done (and in the European case, that means a lot said but not much done), the euro will stand or fall on the ability of those countries that had rapidly rising costs and prices between 2000 and 2007 to get those costs and prices back in line.

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