Dumbest question ever

Im embaressed to ask, but how on earth does the cig lighter in my car work:S? i was given a light that plugs into it, but i dont see how it works, i can press it in, but i cant pull it out at all:S is it broke, or am i too weak!?!
thanks x

there is 12v supplied to the center inside, the outside is ground, with the lighter when you push it in you complete the circuit inside which heats up the coil, with accesories the metal peice on the side make the ground, some lighter recepticals have holes on the inside, sounds like your problem, the side ground found a hole, try tristing