To hang or suspend something; to wear something by hanging it (e.g. a decoration or camera).
壁に絵を下げて部屋の雰囲気を変えた。
I hung a picture on the wall to change the room's atmosphere.
彼女は首にペンダントを下げていた。
She had a pendant hanging from her neck.
天井から観葉植物を下げると、空間が和らぐ。
Hanging a potted plant from the ceiling softens the space.
To lower, reduce, or bring down something (e.g. price, temperature, volume).
店はセールで全品の価格を下げた。
The store lowered prices on all items for the sale.
暑いからエアコンの温度を下げてください。
It's hot, so please lower the air conditioner's temperature.
彼は声のトーンを下げて話した。
He spoke in a lower tone of voice.
To demote someone, move back, or pull back (e.g. downgrade a position or shift something backward).
不正が発覚したため、彼は課長の職を下げられた。
Because misconduct was discovered, he was demoted from section chief.
スケジュールの都合で出場順を下げてもらった。
I had them move my performance order back because of the schedule.
司令は部隊を下げる決断をした。
The commander decided to pull the troops back.
To clear plates or remove food/items from a table or altar (to take away).
食事が終わったら、ウェイターが皿を下げに来た。
When the meal was over, the waiter came to clear the plates.
祭りの後で神棚の供え物を下げた。
After the festival, we removed the offerings from the household shrine.
テーブルから食器を下げて、片付けを始めた。
We cleared the dishes from the table and began tidying up.
In hanafuda (card game) terminology: to continue playing despite having formed a scoring combination by captured cards (specialized meaning).
初心者は出来役ができても下げることがあるが、上級者は得点を確実に取る方法を選ぶ。
Beginners may keep playing even after forming a scoring hand, but advanced players choose ways to secure the points.