timebombed

Timebombed is a term used to describe a situation or object that is set to cause a problem or catastrophic event at a specific, predetermined future time. This concept is commonly found in fiction, particularly in thrillers, spy novels, and action movies, where a villain might plant a device that will detonate at a set hour, or a character might be given a deadline to complete a task to prevent disaster. The "bomb" aspect refers to the potential for damage or destruction, while the "time" element signifies the impending, unavoidable nature of the event.

Beyond fictional scenarios, the term can be applied metaphorically to real-world situations. For example, a company might be described as timebombed if it has accumulated significant debt that will become unmanageable by a certain date, or if it relies on a technology that is rapidly becoming obsolete. Similarly, a political situation could be timebombed if underlying tensions are expected to erupt at a specific future point. The core idea is that a latent problem exists, and its impact is guaranteed to manifest at a scheduled or impending time. The term emphasizes the inevitability and the fixed timeline associated with the eventual crisis.