Computer-readable media, methods, and systems are disclosed for utilizing partition-based locking mechanisms to improve execution of overlapping data definition language (DDL) and data manipulation language (DML) operations on a partitioned database table. A first node receives a DML statement associated with a first transaction. The first node acquires a intent exclusive lock on table metadata. A second node receives a DDL statement associated with a second transaction and acquires an exclusive metadata lock on the partitioned table metadata. Next, an intent exclusive lock is acquired for the relevant partition table data on the second node and an exclusive lock on table metadata on the second node. The second transaction waits for the DML operation of the first transaction to complete. Then the first transaction is committed. Finally exclusive locks are acquired on table data and metadata and the second transaction is executed and committed.