1To move downward, e.g., down a mountain or a flight of stairs; to descend.
朝、山を下りると霧が濃くなっていた。
When we came down the mountain in the morning, the fog had thickened.
エレベーターが故障したので、階段を下りるしかなかった。
The elevator was out of order, so we had no choice but to go down the stairs.
渓谷を下りる道は滑りやすいから気をつけてください。
Please be careful, because the path down the ravine is slippery.
2To get off or down from a vehicle or mount, e.g., a bus, train, or horse; to disembark, alight, or dismount.
次の駅で電車を降りて、友達と待ち合わせします。
I'll get off the train at the next station and meet my friend there.
傘が邪魔なのでバスを降りて歩きます。
My umbrella is in the way, so I'll get off the bus and walk.
馬から降りるときは、ゆっくり体を傾けてください。
When getting down off a horse, lean your body slowly.
3To step down from a post, position, or role; to resign, retire, or give up a duty.
彼はスキャンダルの後で会長の座を降りた。
He stepped down from his position as chairman after the scandal.
連続失敗で監督を降りる決断をした。
After a string of losses, he decided to resign as manager.
4To be granted, issued, or approved, e.g., a permit or visa granted by an authority. Usually written 下りる.
ビザが下りたので、来月出張に行けます。
My visa was approved, so I can go on the business trip next month.
工事の許可が下りるまで作業は始められない。
Work can't begin until the construction permit is granted.
5To form, of frost, dew, mist, etc.; to settle onto the ground or an object.
昨夜は冷え込んで、朝には霜が降りていた。
It got cold last night, and by morning there was frost on the ground.
山頂に霧が降りて視界が悪い。
Mist has settled over the summit, and visibility is poor.
6To be passed out of the body, said of a parasite, e.g., a roundworm being expelled.
子どもの便から回虫が下りているのが見つかった。
A roundworm was found to have been passed in the child's stool.