To move downward or become lower (e.g. temperature, price, level falls).
昨夜から気温がぐっと下がった。
The temperature dropped sharply last night.
需要の低下で商品の値段が下がっている。
Prices of the product are falling due to decreased demand.
海の水位が下がり、岩が見えてきた。
The sea level went down and rocks became visible.
To hang or dangle (to be suspended so that something hangs down).
古いカーテンが所々下がっている。
The old curtains are sagging in places.
彼は首にカメラを下げて散歩している。
He is walking around with a camera hanging from his neck.
桜の枝から小さな提灯が下がっていた。
Small lanterns were hanging from the cherry branches.
To move back, step back, withdraw, or retreat (physically or figuratively).
危ないので一歩下がってください。
Please step back one pace because it's dangerous.
選手は相手の攻勢を受けて下がった。
The player retreated under the opponent's offense.
会議で彼は一旦表に出ていたが、後で下がった。
He had been at the forefront in the meeting, but later stepped back.
To deteriorate or be downgraded; to fall in quality, rating, or performance.
風邪をひいて体調が下がった。
I caught a cold and my condition worsened.
この商品の評価は発売後すぐに下がった。
The product's rating fell soon after release.
テストの点数が下がってしまったので、勉強し直す必要がある。
My test scores dropped, so I need to study again.
To refer to a later time period or to move closer to the present in chronological order (e.g. 'as time goes on').
年代が下るにつれて資料は増えてくる。
As you move to later periods, the number of sources increases.
話を現代に下ると、状況はずいぶん変わった。
Moving forward to modern times, the situation has changed considerably.
史料をたどると、時代が下るほど記録が詳しくなる。
Tracing historical materials, records become more detailed the closer you get to the present.