Public Enemy Number One

Or Public Enemy Number 1,

noun

1. (not in official use) a criminal at the top of the FBI's list of the ten most wanted criminals.

2. a major menace to public safety, health, etc..

   Cancer is Public Enemy Number One.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Public Enemy Number One¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

There are more than 1,400 pests and diseases on the government's plant health risk register, but Ips has been labelled "public enemy number one".

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He said the pair initially revelled in the public's outrage but, when they realised they would become public enemy number one, were too scared to admit their actions.

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Two men chopped down the world famous Sycamore Gap tree as a "bit of a laugh" and then feared becoming public enemy number one, prosecutors have told jurors.

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"Owning up to this arboreal equivalent of mindless thuggery would make them public enemy number one," Mr Wright said.

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"Donald Trump is public enemy number one to most in Canada, and I don't think it was coming across very well."

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