Explanation:

- "He was hoist by his own petard" is a phrase from Shakespeare, meaning someone was caught or hurt by their own trap.

- Option 1: He had problems as a result of his own plans to hurt others.

- This signifies that his own schemes backfired on him.

- Option 2: He was high up on the pole.

- Unrelated to the idiom. This speaks of physical elevation, not relevant here.

- Option 3: He would usually run away from trouble.

- Doesn't fit with the idiom's meaning.

- Option 4: He was indifferent to his surroundings

- Doesn't align with being hurt by one’s own actions.