public enemy number one

Noun

public enemy number one (uncountable)

1. (US, dated) A person who ranks highest on the federal government's prioritized list of wanted criminal fugitives.
   • John Dillinger, America's Public Enemy No. 1 and the most notorious criminal of recent times, was shot and killed at 10:40 o'clock tonight by Federal agents.1934 July 22, en, “Dillinger Slain in Chicago”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1
   • "Sure you never heard of him?" he asked incredulously. "Never," I said flatly. "You must have," he argued. "Why Hamilton was a Public Enemy No. 1 at one time."1946, George Johnston, Skyscrapers in the Mist, page 119
2. (figuratively) A person, organization, or other object considered to be particularly menacing, harmful, or loathsome.
   • The fact is that Reaganomics slowed down the breakneck economy and succeeded in defeating public enemy number one, runaway inflation.1983 January 17, William Safire, “Essay: The Midterm Crisis”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC
   • The Isle of Man's public enemy number one—the rabbit—can breathe easier today. The price on its head, or tail, was revoked.1995 October 12, Peter Victor, “A tale of Flopsy, Mopsy and public enemy No 1”, in The Independent, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC