public enemy
noun/ˌpʌblɪk ˈenəmi/
/ˌpʌblɪk ˈenəmi/
- a person who has done, or is believed to have done, a very bad thing, especially something that is harmful to society
- public enemy number one (= the person or thing that is most frightening or that is most hated)
- Since the scandal he has become public enemy number one.
Culture'Public Enemy No 1' was the title used by the FBI in the 1930s to refer to the criminal they considered the most dangerous and the one they most wanted to arrest at any particular time. In 1934 both John Dillinger and 'Baby Face' Nelson were named as ‘Public Enemy No 1’. The FBI now names the ‘Ten Most Wanted Fugitives ’.Want to learn more?
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public enemy