下手

Noun

 * 1) player whose turn comes next
 * 2)  assistant; aide

Verb

 * 1) to start doing something; to take action; to go about something
 * 2) to commit a crime/to initiate an ambush/sneak attack
 * 1) to commit a crime/to initiate an ambush/sneak attack

Etymology 1
Probably a semantic shift from, referring metaphorically to the edge of one's abilities or knowledge.

The kanji spelling appears to be an instance of.

Adjective

 * 1) unskilled, bad at, poor at, weak at, incompetent
 * 2) superficial, halfhearted, half-assed, careless
 * 3) smaller or lesser in degree

Noun

 * 1) a mistake, a poor result, a screwup

Verb

 * 1) to make a mistake, to screw up

Etymology 2
Compound of.

Occasionally encountered with, where the -te ending changes to -de.

Adjective

 * 1) humble

Usage notes
The shitade reading is more common for the adjective sense.

Noun

 * 1) the lower part, especially downstream or downwind
 * 2) someone at a disadvantage or lower relative to another person, in terms of rank or ability
 * 3)  an underhand or lower hand hold, in which the wrestler's hand or arm is underneath or on the inside of the opponent's hand or arm
 * 1) someone at a disadvantage or lower relative to another person, in terms of rank or ability
 * 2)  an underhand or lower hand hold, in which the wrestler's hand or arm is underneath or on the inside of the opponent's hand or arm
 * 1)  an underhand or lower hand hold, in which the wrestler's hand or arm is underneath or on the inside of the opponent's hand or arm

Derived terms

 * : an underhand throw
 * : to act humble

Etymology 3
Compound of.

Noun

 * 1) downstream; the lower portion of a slope
 * 2)  downstage, specifically the left side of the stage as viewed from the audience
 * 1)  downstage, specifically the left side of the stage as viewed from the audience

Etymology 4
Compound of.

Noun

 * 1)  cheap, low-quality goods

Etymology 5
From.

Noun

 * 1)  someone of low status or rank

Verb

 * 1)  to lower one's hand onto something, to set one's hand onto something