Crossword Genius

Without Juliette, John's confused, old and waiting to be connected (2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

on hold

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'waiting to be connected' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'without juliette john's confused old and' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'old' could be 'o' (abbreviation as in OT - Old Testament) and 'o' is located in the answer.
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'hold' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for on hold that I've seen before include "set aside for future use" , "Put off" , "Awaiting response - from phone operator?" , "Postoned, or awaiting reply to phone call" , "Waiting to be connected" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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