fear of its giving way
When the horse stepped upon the bridge it trembled, and seemed hardly strong enough to bear the horse and his rider; but they had no fear of its "giving way", and the horse galloped swiftly onward.

What is the meaning of "giving way" in this context?

Thank you! :)

Question

fear of its giving way
When the horse stepped upon the bridge it trembled, and seemed hardly strong enough to bear the horse and his rider; but they had no fear of its "giving way", and the horse galloped swiftly onward.

What is the meaning of "giving way" in this context?

Thank you! :)

Answer

To 'give way' in this context means to collapse under the weight of the horse and rider.

The 'its' is a genitive form referring to the bridge.

As a whole, this phrase is an example of a gerund ('giving way') being used as an indirect object.

Answer

it means the bridge might fall from under the horse.

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