Public Enemy Number One

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of Public Enemy Number One

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Example Sentences

Guzman's designation as Public Enemy Number One by the CCC - a non-governmental organisation - "helped to raise awareness both nationally and internationally", says Mr Bensinger.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2014

Most of the things make me sound like a young, pompous Public Enemy Number One who does nothing but groove around with the jet set.

From Time Magazine Archive

When the news got around that I was also responsible for unleashing the runaway globe that bowled out the gym, I was really going to be Public Enemy Number One.

From "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman

He's not exactly Public Enemy Number One, or even Number Fifty, but he's well known to the police of most large cities.

From The Blue Ghost Mystery by Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)