Controlling a reorder buffer (ROB) to selectively perform functional hardware lock disabling (HLD) is described. One apparatus embodiment includes a unit to enable an ROB to selectively disable a lock upon Identifying a lock acquire operation (LAO) associated with a critical section (CS) entry point, a unit to selectively retire the LAO, a unit to cause the ROB to selectively disable the lock, and a unit to snoop a buffer. The apparatus may, based on the snooping, selectively abort a transaction associated with the CS.