To Lower Something
To Hang Something
transitive verb, ichidan verb
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means below so the verb version of that is when you put something below you. It's to lower something. It can also mean to hang something, such as a lamp from the ceiling.
This is a transitive verb, which means that the verb is done by one entity onto another. In other words, you lower something. Like your impossibly high expectations for yourself. Take it easy!
Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it's probably going to be the kun'yomi reading, which you didn't learn with the kanji. Here's a mnemonic to help you:
You want to lower something. In this case, it's a tree, so you need a saw (さ). Lower the tree to the ground gently while you slowly saw it down!
レベルを下げる
to lower the level
コストを下げる
to lower the cost
ボリュームを下げる
to lower the volume
力いっぱいレバーを下げて！
Lower the lever as hard as you can!
一つレベルを下げよう。
Let's lower it one level.
あっ、このロープ、ベーコンを下げるのにちょうどいい。
Oh, this rope is perfect for hanging bacon.