to lower / to decrease / to reduce / to subtract / to diminish
减
=
冫
+
咸
:
Joan of Arc (ji) found that there's a giant popsicle (冫) obstructing the way to the bar inside of the anthill (an3). To clear the way, she reduces (减) the size of the popsicle by scattering salt (咸) all over it.
to retreat / to decline / to move back / to withdraw
退
=
艮
+
辶
:
Tommy Turtle (tu) recently retired (退) and retreated (退) into the Eiffel Tower's bathroom (ei4). There he just wears gladiator sandals (辶), blows chewing gum bubbles (艮) and ponders the sense of life.