Can any one tell me what the use of tilt action in pinball is?

Question

I have been playing 3D pinball for windows on my computer. I just can't seem to use the tilt action for any good. I really am curious to know its proper function so I can use it occasionally. Please help me out. I have a feeling I know what its used for,but I need some conformation.

Answer 1

If you hit the ball and it goes up and it is right rear the chute, tilting it might get it to move over a little and make it go down.

Answer 2

Like if your ball gets stuck.... and you hit the machine to get it to start rolling again, but you hit it a number of times, or when it's not necessary, the game punishes you for being so aggressive by going into tilt mode.

You lose all control until the ball is lost.