下取り
したどり · shitadori · JLPT N1 · noun
inch
🚗 下 (under) + 取り (taking): your old item is taken in below the new price
The shop takes your old item at a value under the new price and subtracts it. 下取り is taking the old car down from the sticker price.
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'.
取 — ear 耳 + hand 又
取 originally depicted a hand (又) grasping an ear (耳), referencing the ancient practice of soldiers cutting off enemies' left ears as proof of kills to claim rewards. The meaning broadened from 'seize/take by force' to the general sense of 'take, get, obtain' used today.