Sterling and our credit rating would fall precipitously if they were in power, and the cost of mortgages and imports would rise sharply.

His advantage ballooned to almost 13 minutes at its highest point, but when it began to fall, it did not fall precipitously at first.

But with the economic downturn which began in early 2000, the fund, true to its volatile nature, began to fall precipitously, losing 34% in 2001 and 30% in 2002.

Global economic conditions deteriorated at a remarkable rate in the final quarter of 2008; financial markets have fallen precipitously.

On its second weekend, it held to the top spot, but fell precipitously by 62% to $120.2 million despite minor competition.