(idiom) a rat crossing the street; a person or thing that is universally detested and targeted by everyone. This is the first half of a two-part allegory meaning "everyone yells to hit it", used to describe someone who has committed crimes and has no place to hide from public anger.

everyone cries out for their punishment; to be a common enemy of the people or a target of public indignation

mouse; rat

to cross; to pass; to go through a place or space

street; a road in a city or town with buildings on both sides

person; people; human being; a human

to yell; to shout; to cry out; to call out aloud

to strike; to knock; to beat; to break