下台
xiàtái · HSK 7
to go off the stage; to fall from position of prestige
🎭 下台 = 下 down + 台 stage = go down off the stage, i.e. step down from power
下 means down/descend and 台 means stage or platform. Going down off the platform is leaving office or losing power. The same 台 shows up in 舞台 (dance stage) and 台 for a raised terrace.
下 — horizontal line 一 + mark below
下 is an indicative character: a long horizontal line represents a reference level, and a shorter stroke placed beneath it points to the area below. The original meaning 'below, down' comes directly from this spatial diagram, and it later extended to verbs like 'descend' and 'lower'.
台 — mouth 口 + 厶 (private)
Originally depicted a raised platform or terrace, suggesting elevation and a place to stand. The character later extended to mean stage, podium, or station. In modern usage it also serves as the simplified form of 臺 (platform) and 颱 (typhoon), and names Taiwan (台灣).