The 2020 Beirut Explosion meme originates from the devastating ammonium nitrate blast at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. Despite the tragic nature of the real-world event, the visual of the massive shockwave ripping through the city became a viral template for depicting sudden, overwhelming escalation. In meme culture, it is often used in video edits known as 'bait-and-switch,' where a peaceful scene abruptly cuts to the explosion to symbolize disaster or a 'final boss' level threat. It serves as a visual metaphor for being blindsided by an unstoppable force or a chaotic situation that completely derails one's plans.