Techniques for processing “destructive” database statements are provided. Destructive database statements, when processed, cause metadata of a database object to be changed. Examples of such database statements include ones that delete an index, that set a column as unused, and that drop a constraint on a column. When such a statement is received, a change is made to metadata of a database object. Such a metadata change may involve setting an index as unusable, disabling a constraint, or invalidating a cursor. After the metadata change, a first time is determined. Then, it is determined when one or more database transactions that were pending at the first time have committed. After those database transaction(s) have committed, one or more operations are performed, such as dropping an index or dropping a constraint.