Well - I've used the phrase "Standby for clearance, remain OCTA" or "Clearance not avbl, remain OCTA" lots of times.
However, normally as soon as:
1 Flight Plan is in system
2 Acft is identified or procedural separation can be achieved
3 Landing slot is worked out
(pick one or more of above)
a clearance is given to the aircraft usually without the aircraft actually having to hold OCTA.
So while the above "awful" phrases may sound (to Dick and AOPA) like clearances are being denied, I'm actually ensuring safety and priorities with usually no (or very little) penalty at all to the pilot concerned.