1To carry something by placing it on one's shoulder(s), such as a heavy load or a portable shrine.
祭りでみんなで神輿を担いだ。
We all shouldered the portable shrine together at the festival.
引っ越しの荷物を肩に担いで階段を上った。
I carried the moving boxes on my shoulder up the stairs.
山登りではリュックを担いで長時間歩く。
When mountain climbing, you walk for hours with a backpack on your shoulders.
けが人を担いで病院まで運んだ。
We carried the injured person on our shoulders to the hospital.
2To put someone forward as a representative, candidate, or leader; used when those around them prop the person up for the role.
若手社員たちは彼を新しいリーダーとして担ごうとしている。
The younger employees are trying to put him forward as the new leader.
地元の有力者に担がれて、彼は市長選に出馬した。
Backed by a local influential figure, he ran for mayor.
党内では彼を党首に担ぐ動きがある。
Within the party, there's a movement to put him forward as party leader.
3To trick or deceive someone into believing something, even temporarily; also used colloquially for pranking or fooling someone as a joke.
エイプリルフールに友達を担いでやった。
I pranked my friend on April Fools' Day.
怪しい儲け話で高齢者を担ぐ詐欺が増えている。
Scams that deceive elderly people with suspicious money-making stories are on the rise.
本気で担がれているとは思わなかった。
I didn't realize I was seriously being taken for a ride.
4To be mindful of superstitions or omens and act according to them; commonly used in the phrase 縁起を担ぐ ('to be superstitious about good luck').
彼は縁起を担いで、大事な試合の前は必ず同じ食事をとる。
He's superstitious, and always eats the same meal before an important match.
験を担いで、面接の日は赤いネクタイをした。
For good luck, I wore a red tie on interview day.