What is a phrase is it a place of rest in the music and musical idea with various shape, a short, reoccurring musical idea, or a note to the performer to play softly?

A phrase in music refers to a short, reoccurring musical idea. It is a section of a larger musical composition that typically has a distinct shape and serves as a cohesive musical thought. It is not related to a place of rest or a note to play softly, although phrases can have dynamics (including soft passages) within their structure.