The Break & Erase tool eliminates numerous picks. The prompting that you will receive can change based on the status of a running intersection osnap. If this osnap is on using standard prompting, you would have no way of knowing which 'intersecting' object actually would be broken.
Keyboard Command: ObjBrkEra
In the case of the intersection osnap being off, the routine prompts you to select the object you wish to break at the break point. You will then be prompted to select the broken part to erase.
In the event of the intersection osnap being on, the routine will prompt you to select the object to break at any point on the portion you wish to erase, then pick an intersection point with another object.