public enemy number one

public enemy number one

A person or concept that is despised or disapproved of by a large portion of the population. The pharmaceutical executive became public enemy number one almost overnight with his decision to hike the price of an inexpensive but lifesaving drug. The newly elected prime minister has stated that the homelessness crisis would be considered public enemy number one under her administration.
See also: enemy, number, one, public
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

public enemy number one

1 a notorious wanted criminal. 2 a person or thing regarded as the greatest threat to a group or community.
2 1995 Independent So foods that pile on the pounds are seen as Public Enemy Number One.
See also: enemy, number, one, public
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

public ˌenemy number ˈone

a person or a thing that is thought to be the greatest threat to a group or community: Genetically modified foods have replaced nuclear power as public enemy number one. The gangster Kline became America’s public enemy number one during the Depression.
See also: enemy, number, one, public
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • gain ground on (someone or something)
  • firing line
  • proceed
  • proceed against
  • proceed against (someone or something)
  • proceeding
  • own
  • enemy
  • make (one) feel small
  • make someone feel small
References in periodicals archive
Public Enemy Number One, Al Capone, was eventually jailed for tax evasion and died in prison 11 years later of a heart attack
In Dillinger's Wild Ride he recounts the exploits of the affable outlaw who, over 12 violent months, garnered international notoriety as America's Public Enemy Number One. While previous studies have used that saga to explore the politics of federal law enforcement (Dillinger proved a godsend for J.
America Remembers is pleased to announce an exciting new Tribute featuring this controversial and unforgettable icon of 20th Century America: The John Dillinger "Public Enemy Number One" Tribute Thompson.
France's former public enemy number one, a charismatic bank robber, kidnapper and killer who first gained notoriety in Canada, made a comeback Wednesday in a critically-acclaimed biopic.
But instead Taylor has been hounded, made public enemy number one by certain sections of society and unnecessarily humiliated by one of Britain's redtop tabloids.
Public schools are often the Religious Right's public enemy number one. Support public schools, even if you don't have children attending them.
Having attracted plenty of support for the Stan James 2,000 Guineas and the Vodafone Derby without ever having sniffed a racecourse last season, Pescatorio could well be public enemy number one for a plethora of ante-post punters if he fails to live up to his billing in the opener at Newmarket this afternoon.
As a result, Ned is public enemy number one in the British Empire and a folk hero to the Australian underclass.
In 1938, Public Enemy Number One and Public Enemies Numbers Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six, stole all together $130,000 by burglary and robbery; the amount stolen by Ivar Kreuger* was estimated at $250,000,000--nearly two thousand times as much.
Award-winning film authority Jack G Shaheen documents the tendency to portray Muslim Arabs as Public Enemy Number One -- brutal, heartless, uncivilised "Others" bent on terrorising civilised westerners.
"While methyl bromide has been placed in the position of public enemy number one by the radical environmental community, we have lost sight of the fact that this may truly be a silver bullet compound," excoriated Jim Culbertson, executive manager of the California Cherry Export Association.
The government of the new state - which was primarily populated by enlightened citizens who turned a blind eye to religious arguments against innoculation - made smallpox into public enemy number one. However, the battle was only half won.
So, in my garden at least, they are jointly Public Enemy Number One.
Ever since reading the book I've had this tape running in my head repeating to the rhythm of "Public, Public Enemy number one ...," "Simu, simulacrum number two...."
Why is Baruch Goldstein "a lone, violent madman" and Farrakhan, on the contrary, Public Enemy Number One?